A stone’s throw from the upmarket Hampstead Heath, Kentish Town is famous for its colourful houses, top-notch pubs, and diverse restaurant scene.

Now, it could be set to become the UK’s answer to Hollywood, as plans for a £1,000,000,000 quarter dedicated almost entirely to filmmaking have just been adopted by Camden Council.

It’s no secret that the neighbouring Camden Town already has its roots firmly in the creative scene. After all, it was famously the home of Amy Winehouse, The Clash shot the cover of their debut album there, and Pink Floyd played their first-ever gig at The Roundhouse.

Plus, to this day, The Hawley Arms – favoured by Amy as well as Pete Doherty, Kate Moss and even Noel Fielding – is still plastered in various pieces of signed memorabilia, including from Amy herself, who would often serve up customers behind the bar.

With planning permission pending, the new plans for Kentish Town – also in the borough of Camden – could see part of the north London neighbourhood turned into the aptly named Camden Film Quarter.

Spearheaded by real estate investment company Yoo Capital, the blueprint has been developed in partnership with the National Film and Television School and the London Screen Academy.

It envisages a ‘mix of creative space including film studios,’ as well as soundstages, workshop spaces and even studio tours for the public.

In 2024, Lloyd Lee, managing partner at Yoo Capital, told Deadline of the plans: ‘I think that you could see a family coming to do a studio tour, see how movies are made and going into spaces where someone was filming, seeing golf carts go back and forth. They should feel like they’re in the film and television corner of London.’

Plus, the wider Regis Road development will see 1,000 new homes built, 50% of which will be affordable, as well as new pedestrian and cycle-friendly connections connecting Kentish Town to Gospel Oak and Hampstead Heath.

There’ll be green spaces galore too, with the vision aiming to ‘support local biodiversity and enhance the area’s natural environment.’ And if it all gets given the go-ahead, work on the development could start as early as 2026.

It’s no secret that Kentish Town is already a lovely place to live.

Over on the r/London Subreddit, Kentish Town local @wmgregory notes that they love living in the area because it’s ‘not Camden Town (quieter),’ and has ‘nice pubs, cafés and shops’ as well as decent transport links in the form of ‘trains, tubes, overground, and buses.’

@Tubo_Mengmeng lived in Kentish Town for a year and a half, and ‘definitely rate[s] the area personally.’

‘[It’s] just [a] low key chill nice north London neighbourhood which floats my boat a bit more than somewhere trying too hard, def has overspill/seeping of the surrounding areas into it too which helps give it a bit more of an identity,’ they add.

And in @mejogid’s opinion, Kentish Town has ‘some of the best pubs in London,’ citing local watering holes The Pineapple, The Southampton Arms, Tapping the Admiral, The Rose & Crown and The Lion & Unicorn.

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Ever fancied living like the stars do? One 70s music legend’s childhood home has hit the market down in Bromley, South London for £449,500.

David Bowie is most closely associated with the vibrant Brixton, having lived at 40 Stansfield Road until he was six years old. To this day, a mural of everyone’s favourite Starman – specifically styled as his alter ego Aladdin Sane – shines over the streets of Brixton Road.

But after he moved out of SW9 in 1953, he and his family moved to Bromley, which was part of Kent until 1965, when it joined Greater London.

Now, the home on Canon Road, BR1, is up for sale for almost half a million – and since English Heritage specifies that blue plaques can only be placed over the homes of people who died at least 20 years ago, there’s nothing to be found here hanging on the exterior wall.

And while the Victorian period property might be small, it’s certainly steeped in plenty of history.

With two bedrooms, two reception rooms and one bathroom, the listing, marketed by Leaders, describes it as a ‘charming two-bedroom period terraced house’ which is ‘located in a quiet residential position close to the heart of Bickley on the borders of Bromley.’

Bowie stardom aside, it adds that it’s the ‘perfect place to call home,’ exuding ‘a sense of peace and tranquillity,’ and is available chain-free.

The family’s time at the home was brief, as the next year, they moved to Plaistow Grove, closer to Sundridge Park.

At the time Bowie – born David Robert Jones – moved to Bromley, the average UK house price rested at £1,884. Today, that translates to £44,795. Just imagine?

He eventually moved away from Bromley completely in 1965 – becoming David Bowie in January 1966 as he was constantly confused with Davy Jones of The Monkees – but it continued to hold a close spot in his heart.

In a 2003 interview with Vanity Fair, he recalled visiting the local department store Medhursts – which these days, is now a Primark.

‘There wasn’t an American release they didn’t have or couldn’t get. Quite as hip as any London supplier,’ he said at the time.

‘I would have had a very dry musical run were it not for this place.’

Bowie’s former home isn’t the only notable property to come onto the market in the last year. In September 2024, Boy George’s home in Hampstead was placed on the rental market for £65,000 per month.

Having bought the five-bedroom property in the 1980s after Culture Club first enjoyed commercial success, the singer looked to rent it out after 40 years of owning it.

He previously placed the home on the market in November 2022 for £17,000,000, and received some ‘very good offers’ on it, as estate agent Robert Irving Burns previously noted, but ultimately decided to turn it down.

Similarly, in November 2024, a recording studio formerly owned by The Pet Shop Boys on Garrett Street went up for sale with a price tag of £6,000,000.

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Looking for new digs? One town jokingly labelled a ‘posh enclave’ has been named the best place to live in the north of England.

Just outside of the bustling city of Leeds lies the quaint town of Ilkley – known for its independent cafés, trendy brunch spots and picturesque hiking views.

According to a brand-new list, it trumps absolutely every other single place in the north and northeast of England when it comes to various factors, including schools, transport, access to green spaces, mobile coverage and even the ‘health of the high street’ – including the likes of Hebden Bridge, Horsforth and Morpeth, which also scored highly.

The average house up in Ilkley isn’t cheap at £532,000, according to The Sunday Times’ list – while the typical UK house price is almost half the cost at £267,200, as research from Zoopla shows.

It’s not the first time Ilkley has been praised, as it was named the best place to live in the entirety of the UK in 2022. Clearly, West Yorkshire is where it’s at.

As for the rest of the UK, Saffron Walden in Essex – where house prices average out at a whopping £607,100 – came in first place, while in London, the eternally cool Walthamstow (or ‘Awesomestow,’ as locals know it) won a landslide victory.

What locals are saying about Ilkley

Both locals and visitors to Ilkley alike have long been completely enamoured with it – even if it’s a little bit ‘posh.’

Over on the r/Yorkshire Subreddit, @Ok-Fox1262 jokingly called the West Yorkshire town a ‘posh enclave,’ but noted that it’s ‘really nice, albeit a bit expensive by local standards…and you have the whole of the dales to go at if you like walking and countryside.’

For @oovavoooo, Ilkley very much resembles ‘an old money spa town’ that alongside ‘Skipton and York’ forms part of the ‘Yorkshire Golden Triangle.’ In their view, you won’t find many ‘better places to live’ in England – and the latest rankings certainly prove that point.

‘It does have quite a west London vibe to it, but with very different surroundings. It’s also full of people who have moved from or back from London,’ they added.

Elsewhere, @No_Potato_4341 branded it ‘picturesque’ as well as ‘a complete anomaly compared to other places in the Bradford Borough.’ For them, The Toy Museum and Manor House are the peak of Ilkley living, as well as the beautiful countryside.

Things to do in Ilkley

Thinking of making the move? Undoubtedly, the best thing about Ilkley is its proximity to absolutely breathtaking views – the most notable looming right over the town on Ilkley Moor, by the Cow and Calf Rocks.

Also known as the Hangingstone Rocks, they’re about a 35-minute walk from the train station at the bottom of the hill – which various locals have even been spotted running up and down in all weathers. You would if you could, right?

Tipples and roast dinners aplenty are served up at The Cow And Calf pub which is, of course, a mere seven minutes on foot from the neighbouring rocks, overlooking the Wharfe Valley.

And back towards the centre of town, who could forget the iconic Betty’s Tea Room? It’s been serving up Fat Rascals – a famous Yorkshire bun resembling a scone – since 1919, after all.

If swimming is more your thing, Ilkley Lido is found right next to the indoor pool. Opened in 1935, it was originally part of the celebrations for the Silver Jubilee of George V.

And when the weekend rolls around, it’s always nice to indulge in a spot of brunch – found in abundance at the likes of Toast House, Outside The Box, and Arlo. Hash brown, anyone?

Transport links in Ilkley

Wondering what your new daily commute might look like? Leeds and Bradford – both giants of West Yorkshire respectively – are approximately 30 minutes from Ilkley on the train (or 45 minutes by car).

And if you ever find yourself yearning for London, there’s a direct train down to King’s Cross from Leeds, which takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes.

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Captivated by the prospect of living in a teeny tiny space? A skinny house has hit the market down in Chichester, West Sussex to the tune of £1,250,000.

The Grade II listed Georgian home recently underwent a full refurbishment, and now boasts lavish, colourful interiors.

For a relatively compact space (it’s just 3.6 metres or 11.8 feet wide, which is about the same as a wide shipping container), there’s a lot packed into it.

There are three bedrooms, three living rooms, and two bathrooms spread across 150.6 square metres (which works out at £8,300.13 for each one).

Many of the property’s original features remain in place, including the front façade, sash windows complete with shutters, and a breathtaking staircase, perfect for acting out your finest ballroom entrance fantasies.

Stepping through the classic front door, you’ll be welcomed inside a double-height sitting room complete with an oak floor, wall panelling, and of course, a cosy fireplace, perfect for the winter months.

From there, the hallway takes you through to the open-plan kitchen and dining room, furnished with a herringbone wooden floor and exposed brick walls.

It doesn’t stop there, either, as the first floor boasts a mezzanine seating area above the main living room, which the current owners have furnished with an opulent bright yellow sofa. You would if you could, right?

Across the landing, there’s another sitting room too, which could also become another bedroom with a bit of TLC – so there’s no shortage of space to relax.

Finally, the top floor hosts two bedrooms, one with an ensuite bathroom and the other right next to the family bathroom, complete with a freestanding bath for a long, hot soak.

What’s more, it’s right in the centre of the historic city, being a stone’s throw from both Chichester Cathedral and Pallant House Gallery. What’s not to love?

That’s not the only skinny house to hit the market of late. Last week, a property billed ‘London’s second narrowest home’ went up for sale to the tune of £1,250,000.

Spread over three floors and billed as ‘Tardis-like,’ the two-bedroom home, located in the swanky Notting Hill Gate, dates back to around 1930.

For fans of strange analogies, at seven feet wide, the property is about half the length of a VW Beetle (13.38 feet).

Speaking of teeny tiny homes, just how small are they allowed to be? It all depends on the number of bedrooms.

According to Urbanist Architecture, in England, a one-bedroom flat with capacity for one person and set across one storey needs to have a minimum Gross Internal Area of 37 square metres.

Meanwhile, a three-storey, three-bedroom home with space for six people needs to span 108 square metres, while a six-bedroom, three-storey property with capacity for eight needs to be slightly larger, at 138.

This piece was originally published on March 21, 2025.

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Looking to get on the property ladder, but not sure where to start? The most popular UK area for first-time buyers has been named – and it’s just under an hour from London.

Dartford might be best known for its famous crossing (and for being the birthplace of none other than Mick Jagger), but it’s also proving popular with brand-new homeowners.

According to new data from the Office For National Statistics (ONS), in 2023, the Kent town had the highest rate of first-time buyers in the country at 20.2 sales per 1,000 dwellings, a figure that’s jumped up from 15.0 per 1,000 over the last 10 years. Clearly, Dartford is the place to be.

This was closely followed by Harlow in the east of England at 16.3 per 1,000, with honourable mentions to Nuneaton and Bedworth in the West Midlands at 15.5 per 1,000.

Unsurprisingly, the number of first-time buyers seeking properties in London has decreased in the last decade, as 12.7% of all UK-wide FTB mortgages were found in the Big Smoke, marking a decrease from 16.8% in 2013. Ouch.

How much does housing cost in Dartford?

So, what’s all the buzz about Dartford for?

According to data from Zoopla, the average house price for a first-time buyer in the area is £350,000 – considerably cheaper than the general average for the area, which currently stands at £372,986.

While that might be more expensive than the UK-wide average, which is now £267,200, it’s an accessible way for London commuters to live relatively close to the city (there are direct trains to Victoria in just 52 minutes) without paying a premium – which is exactly what prompted one couple to make the move last year.

‘We purchased our dream home in Dartford after 10 years of renting’

Sebastian and Joanna Adamczyk, 39 and 35, picked up the keys to their first mortgaged home in July 2024. After 10 years of renting in the capital, they chose Dartford as their new digs – and are now paying £20 less each month in mortgage payments at £1,730.

‘We saved every penny we could for two years, then decided we might have enough to look at buying our own home. We both work in central London so being able to get in and out was key to where we looked for a place to live,’ Joanna shares.

The couple had heard that Dartford was a ‘nice place to live,’ so one day they ‘caught a train and went to have a look,’ wandering through the ‘high street with all the lovely cafes and shops.’ The moment they arrived, they had a ‘lovely feeling about the place.’

‘After a spot of window shopping, we walked to the huge Central Park to relax and on the way out we saw a sign that told us that Bellway was building apartments at Copperhouse Green just round the corner,’ Joanna adds. From then, it was an instant yes.

‘It is great to be able to pop out and just stroll along to the shops and cafes, but we absolutely love being able to hop on a bus and be at the amazing Bluewater Shopping Centre 15 minutes later. In the first two weeks after moving in, we went five times,’ she adds, noting that they moved in on their 10^th anniversary – which was July 19, 2024.

‘Living here is the best present we could ever have given ourselves. It’s as if we are meant to be here and we love it.’

Things to do in Dartford

Thinking about making the move as a first-time buyer? Dartford was described by local @NebCrushrr over on Reddit as a ‘lively place’ with a ‘busy’ town centre that hosts a ‘real community.’ Sounds perfect.

For a spot of greenery, there’s Darenth Country Park, found on the edge of the North Downs. An ancient Saxon burial ground, the Chapel Orchard has more than 150 varieties of trees – including apple, pear, plum, and even cherry.

Plus, there’s the dreamy Central Park – Sebastian and Joanna’s favourite – which is inundated with stunning flowerbeds, a café and even an outdoor fitness area, as well as the Beacon Wood Country Park and Brooklands Lake, both perfect for an afternoon stroll.

There’s culture and history to be found at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Open Air Theatre and Dartford Borough Museum, which is free to enter if you’re looking to save a few pennies.

And for the little ones, who could forget Dinotropolis? This dinosaur adventure park is complete with impressive animatronics and even raptor racing.

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Captivated by the prospect of living in a teeny tiny space? A skinny house has hit the market down in Chichester, West Sussex to the tune of £1,250,000.

The Grade II listed Georgian home recently underwent a full refurbishment, and now boasts lavish, colourful interiors.

For a relatively compact space (it’s just 3.6 metres wide, which is about the width of a standard bus), there’s a lot packed into it, with three bedrooms, three living rooms, and two bathrooms spread across 150.6 square metres.

Many of the property’s original features remain in place, including the front façade, sash windows complete with shutters, and a breathtaking staircase, perfect for acting out your finest ballroom entrance fantasies.

Stepping through the classic front door, you’ll be welcomed inside a double-height sitting room complete with an oak floor, wall panelling, and of course, a cosy fireplace, perfect for the winter months.

From there, the hallway takes you through to the open-plan kitchen and dining room, furnished with a herringbone wooden floor and exposed brick walls.

It doesn’t stop there, either, as the first floor boasts a mezzanine seating area above the main living room, which the current owners have furnished with an opulent bright yellow sofa. You would if you could, right?

Across the landing, there’s another sitting room too, which could also become another bedroom with a bit of TLC – so there’s no shortage of space to relax.

Finally, the top floor hosts two bedrooms, one with an ensuite bathroom and the other right next to the family bathroom, complete with a freestanding bath for a long, hot soak.

What’s more, it’s right in the centre of the historic city, being a stone’s throw from both Chichester Cathedral and Pallant House Gallery. What’s not to love?

That’s not the only skinny house to hit the market of late. Last week, a property billed ‘London’s second narrowest home’ went up for sale to the tune of £1,250,000.

Spread over three floors and billed as ‘Tardis-like,’ the two-bedroom home, located in the swanky Notting Hill Gate, dates back to around 1930.

For fans of strange analogies, at seven feet wide, the property is about half the length of a VW Beetle (13.38 feet) – almost double the width of the Chichester home.

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Ever dreamed about winning the lottery and buying a huge London home with your winnings? The latest Omaze prize draw has dropped – and this time, a £4,500,000 Georgian townhouse is up for grabs.

Located in the very heart of the capital on London’s South Bank, the four-bedroom, five-storey property has uninterrupted views of The Shard, an iconic London landmark that, 12 years from its opening, is still visited by up to 6,000 people each day.

The cheapest entry to the Omaze prize costs just £10, which secures 15 entries. However, if you want to increase your chances, 40 entries are available for £25, 85 for £50, or a whopping 320 for £150.

It’s not just fantastic views and a central location you’ll be inheriting either, as the house itself is steeped in history. Outside the front, there’s a ghostly Take Courage sign which has faded over the years, a subtle hint to its links to the former Anchor Brewery.

One of Southwark’s most famous institutions, the brewery was founded in 1616 – and by the early 19^th century, it had become the world’s largest. It eventually closed down in 1981, but The Anchor pub is still in operation – just round the corner from the Omaze house.

Perfect for fans of period homes, the property retains many of its original features, including Georgian sash windows.

Many elements have also been given a modern spin, including the steel-framed Sunroom extension backing out onto the garden, the separate studio space outdoors, and the firepit which doubles as a barbecue. It’s now spring, after all.

On the first floor, there’s a traditional Georgian reception room to allow you to live out all your Bridgerton dreams, while the three bedrooms are found on the upper floors, offering stunning views over the London skyline.

And outside, the garden – which was designed by Chelsea Flower Show Gold winners – features wooden bench seating, a canopy, a herb garden and plenty of flowers and fauna to admire.

Naturally, the home comes mortgage-free and has all stamp duty and legal fees included.

And that’s not the only prize up for grabs, as the lucky winner will also be gifted £250,000 in cash to help with settling in, whether that’s used towards fresh interiors (though £150,000 worth of furnishings is already included), or the general running of the home.

It’s estimated that the cash prize could keep the home ticking over for almost 10 years, but if you’re not so fussed about living in it, there’s always the option of renting it out or selling up to pocket the cash.

In fact, according to local estate agents, the property could be rented out for anywhere between £8,000 and £10,000 per month.  

‘Everyone at Omaze is thrilled to be partnering with The King’s Trust again for our latest house draw,’ said James Oakes, president of Omaze.

‘By offering this amazing property in London, plus £250,000 in cash, Omaze gives people the chance to win a life-changing prize, whilst also raising money for charities.

‘The eventual winner is free to decide what they want to do with the house. They can move in and not have to worry about any immediate costs, thanks to the £250,000 settling in money; they can rent it out, for additional income; or they can sell up and cash in to become a multimillionaire – the choice is entirely theirs.’

Want to shoot your shot? The Grand Prize draw closes on April 27 for online entries, and April 29 for postal entries.

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In the market for a unique property venture? A converted stable has hit the market for £300,000.

Found in Kirkcudbright up in Scotland, this quirky two-bedroom listing is in a relatively isolated location – and so you wouldn’t have too many neighbours to be disturbed by (with the exception of one or two).

Dating back to 1900, the property retains many original stable features, including the barred gates that would’ve kept the horses inside, as well as its wooden wall panelling, solid oak doors, and cast-iron features.

The ceiling is still just as high as you’d expect of a traditional working stable too – though these days, the longest section is used as a dining area. There are still three separate stalls too, in case you need to rein it in and have some separation from your loved ones.

The current owners have set up the first stall as an office area complete with a built-in desk and mezzanine storage area, while the middle stall operates as a sitting room, furnished with a cosy wood-burning stove, and the final room as the main bedroom.

Meanwhile, the kitchen is fitted with a five-ring gas hob, electric grill and oven, as well as a fridge-freezer, washing machine and dishwasher, while the bathroom benefits from a heated mirror, storage heater and drying rack, and a bath over a shower.

It might sound relatively cosy, but there’s ample space to gallop wild and free, as the property is spread across three floors. Up on the first floor, there’s the first bedroom and the ‘crows’ nest’ (currently used as storage space), while the second floor has another living room.

Outside, there’s access to a garden featuring a summerhouse and even a sauna – but the prospective owner won’t have completely free reins to horse around in the courtyard, which is currently shared with the adjoining property.

So, it is yay or neigh? The listing, marketed by eXp UK, grabbed the attention of the r/SpottedonRightmove Subreddit, posted in the group by @Buttoneer138 who joked that it could be the ideal home for ‘people who want a stable relationship.’

@rocc_high_racks joked that it was a ‘nay’ from them, while @Sufficient-Star-1237 said that it reminded them of their dad, who would always tell them ‘Will you shut that door, were you brought up in a stable?’

‘You’d constantly have a long face if you lived there,’ @Squishtakovich added.

It wasn’t all just neigh-sayers though: there was plenty of interest in the property’s unique nature, as @the-fooper labelled it ‘perfect if you want tranquillity.’

‘For me, it would be too far from city life. Good luck to whoever gets it. It’s a charming house,’ they added. @Kind-Mathematician18 noted that the ‘location is nice, secluded and nowhere near a mane road.’ Of course.

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If you’re looking to get on the housing ladder without completely rinsing your savings account, you can now buy a completely foldable home for as little as £72,500.

The homes are available for considerably lower than the going rate, as research from Zoopla shows that the average UK property now costs £267,200 – almost £200,000 more than these nifty designs.

So, how does it work? The homes, designed by the Tiny Housing Company, serve as container-like properties, as the parts are built off-site and assembled on-site.

There’s a range of size options too, with a choice between one and two-bedroom properties, which measure 30×13 ft and 40×13 ft respectively, each with an open-plan kitchen and plenty of storage options.

Each of the models, known as the Skylark design, are inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese architecture, and as THC’s website states, they’re intended to provide a ‘peaceful retreat from the chaos of daily life.’

As for the larger two-bedroom option, there’s a large king-size bedroom as well as an extra double bedroom, which can either be fitted with bunk beds or used as a home office.

It might be teeny tiny, but the bathroom doesn’t scrimp on space as its designed to cater for the entire family with its ‘luxury’ size, while the living room’s panoramic windows welcome in the natural light.

But if you want to just keep things simple with the one-bedroom design, you’ll still have access to the same open-plan integrated kitchen, modern bathroom, and storage space. Consider us ready for a bit of minimalistic living.

There’s room to save on energy bills too, as the website claims the homes are all ‘airtight, reducing draughts to zero, [and] keeping heat in for longer.’

Each listing is ‘paired with a high-spec MVHR’ too, which ‘removes the stale air, cleans it and recuperates the air which is brought back into the home.’

The prices of the Skylark versions start at £72,500, but can vary with the cost of add-ons and size. And if you’re looking to shave off a few more pennies, the Nomad two-bedroom tiny house starts from £51,750, while the Avon one-bedroom starts from £49,500.

Tiny homes are increasingly prevalent in a world where house prices are skyrocketing and many are looking for more simplistic, compact spaces.

Over the US, one man went in search of an affordable antidote to the horrors of the housing market: a £30,077.98 ($38,999) tiny home on Amazon, which came wrapped in the typical brown cardboard packaging with the logo on the side. Is this, perchance, the largest parcel we’ve ever seen?

Posting under the username @unspeakable_fanytb, Nathan Graham seemed delighted with his purchase.

Noting that it was relatively compact, but that it did come with a shower and toilet, he quickly realised that there was more to the home than first met the eye.

The sides of the metal home, which came in one piece and required no further construction, needed to be folded out to create extra space – just like a giant Lego project.

And perhaps the most dystopian feature was that the front door keys came glued to the house.

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‘I didn’t know you could actually buy a castle,’ says Simon Hunt, sitting in the stone-walled kitchen nook of his 16th-century Scottish pile with wife Stef Burgon. ‘I thought they were passed from first son to first son, like in Game Of Thrones.’

The pile in question – Kilmartin Castle – built in 1550 during the time of Mary, Queen of Scots – came to Stef and Simon’s attention when they had been living and working in dream jobs in Dubai for more than a decade.

The pair came across an article saying central London parking spaces were now so expensive that you could actually buy a Scottish castle for the same price. The picture of the castle in the article looked so beautiful they decided to investigate.

Stef, 45, and Simon, 43, had already fallen in love with Scotland after a Christmas spent with her family in Newcastle. The idea of buying a castle was initially something they liked to fantasise about over glasses of wine, ‘because we’re not wealthy castle-owning kind of people,’ says Simon.

‘My parents came to look at it for us,’ says Stef of the Argyle property, which is a two-hour drive from Glasgow and a similar distance from Ben Nevis. ‘They said that if they were our age, they would definitely do it.’

The couple bought the castle in 2014 at a time when the market was wobbly, as Scotland was about to have its independence referendum with ideas that ‘foreign’ property owners might be heavily taxed.

‘The price was £331,780,’ says Stef, explaining that they thought if they put in a weird offer against an asking price of £375,000, it might work in their favour. (That central London parking space must have been pretty fancy, mind you!)

In fact, it came down to sealed bids and, even though Stef thinks theirs wasn’t the highest, they wrote such a heartfelt letter about how much they loved the castle and how much work they would do on it, they won out against the competition with owners who had been on a similar journey with the castle themselves.

Simon sold a property in his native Australia and, having bought Kilmartin, they had £80,000 left to play with.

‘We thought, “Yeah, that’s enough”,’ says Stef. ‘And all the contractors we spoke to said it was enough. But it was not enough and, knowing what we know now, they knew it wasn’t enough but banks seem to lend you the rest because they want a project to be finished.’

At this time, the couple were still based in Dubai and initially gave the place a quick lick of paint so they could rent it out to anyone who wanted a bargain castle to stay in while they got their act together.

Two years later, they came back to get married in the castle – destroying the septic system in the process, what with all those guests – but it was only in 2018 that they finally quit their jobs in Dubai, got themselves a camper van and went on a six-month Europe-wide road trip around the biggest and best antique fairs.

From paintings of bearded ladies picked up in Paris to huge light fixtures from Denmark, everything was piled into the van with their cat Frank until the vehicle was impossible to use.

‘First went the shower,’ says Stef. ‘Then we filled up the bed so had to stay in hotels.’ All this happened on 
a mission to give the castle what they call a ‘rustic-luxe’ look.

With the outside of the building in pretty good nick, thanks to the previous owner who was a stonemason – ‘If it hadn’t been, we definitely wouldn’t have bought it,’ says Stef – it was just a question of sorting out the inside.

They did this while living in their camper van, acting as creative directors – Simon had been one at an advertising agency in Dubai – project managers and ‘unskilled grunt labour’, digging up ancient flagstones, laying underfloor heating and painting the metre-thick walls.

Was there ever a moment when they asked themselves, ‘What have we done?’ you wonder. ‘Always!’ says Stef, laughing. She remembers going to a remote loo with food poisoning and wondering, if she died there, whether anyone would ever find her.

‘For my 40th birthday, all I wanted was to have a shower,’ she says. ‘And it wasn’t until three days later that I got one.

‘The garden was, at some points, even harder work than the castle. Everything that happened seems to cost £20,000.’

But with all this, they have ever regretted it?

‘It’s the best decision we ever made,’ says Stef, who left her dream job as a breakfast-time radio presenter to take on the project. ‘We love this building – it’s like a child to us.’

The effect now that they’ve moved in their market-found treasures and recruited every last artisan in the neighbourhood is nothing short of stunning. Everything is beautiful, from the wild swimming pool with unchlorinated water filtered through reeds, across patios with firepits and barbecues and bars, past greenhouses where up to 20 guests can have dinner under the stars, through the organic garden – which acts as a free pantry for guests – under the family coat of arms above the door and into the castle proper.

‘We wanted something exciting and different everywhere you look,’ says Simon who, along with Stef, designed the whole place, down to window nooks for reading that look out over the glen. They even have their own house brand of coffee.

Simon shows us round, up and down stone spiral staircases, through three turrets, pointing out arrow holes – ‘so we can survive a zombie apocalypse’.

There’s also a half-rusted cabinet they picked up in Paris with a rust-coloured modern sink on top they had made especially, his favourite bath next to a wood-burning stove looking out to the hills, and a five-euro pouffe they found at a flea market and upcycled with House of Hackney fabric.

‘People say it has a Soho House vibe,’ says Simon, proudly, but it’s far much more interesting than that.

And having a castle has changed their lives for ever.

‘It’s weird when you get your dream job,’ says Simon of their lives in Dubai. ‘You actually wonder, “What next? Why am I not happy?”’

The realities of working for other people, of being able to take holidays only when you’re told to, of grafting all hours on projects you don’t give 
a monkey’s about, turned out not to be the life they wanted.

‘Now there are no bosses,’ says Stef, gleefully. ‘We can’t get sacked, no matter how bad we are.’

Not that they would be in any danger of being fired. With two acres – ‘so we don’t have to worry about disturbing the neighbours’ – and a gorgeous village pub just five minutes’ walk away, they initially thought it would make the perfect hotel. Stef knew something about this trade as she had worked as a travel journalist, picking up tips wherever she went.

So, with the interiors finally completed in October 2019, they opened as a boutique B&B… and then Covid hit.

‘After Covid, people wanted boltholes,’ says Simon, adding that most enquiries came from groups who wanted to take over the whole castle. It sleeps ten and is perfect for weddings, celebrations and 
multi-generational get-togethers, especially because of its accessible downstairs bedroom.

So, having found a cottage in the village for themselves and Robbie, their cat since the demise of Frank, they now list themselves on Vrbo – ‘the peer-to-peer rentals site’ – and stay out of the way. Unless it’s empty, when they might use it for a celebration.

If the pair needed any reassurance that they had done an amazing job, The New York Times named the castle and the glen as the fourth-best place to visit in the world. On Vrbo, it’s a holiday home of the year, based on inspections, amenities and reviews – all for £800-£1,500 a night (sleeps ten, remember!) depending on the season.

And the accolade really is no surprise with a property as ancient and beautiful as this, restored so that antique pewter rolltop baths share space with quirky 1970s pineapple-shaped lamps – ‘that’s pure Stef, that is,’ says Simon. Ancient flagged corridors open on to dining rooms ‘that have seen some wild parties’ and kitchens where every modern convenience is at hand.

Add ancient woodland, a nearby museum, interesting ‘arty-type’ locals, foraging opportunities, chefs who come in to do full-scale tasting menus and incredible fibre-optic broadband with 11 routers to get around the problem of walls that are 3ft thick, and it’s pretty much perfect.

Stef and Simon recently went back to Dubai because they needed a break, sun and to catch up with old friends.

‘We had a lot of fun and it was great to see people,’ says Simon. ‘But there’s not enough money in the world to pay me to go back to my old life.’

Find Kilmartin Castle and the other Vrbo holiday homes of the year at vrbo.com

Looking at buying your first home and don’t want to break the bank? One UK ‘jewel’ has been named the cheapest for first-time buyers – and prices average out at £84,325.

Just south of Glasgow is Kilmarnock in Ayrshire. It might seem like a relatively sleepy place – compared to a city as busy as Glasgow, that is – but there’s plenty to suit first-time buyers here, including the price tag.

According to Rightmove, Kilmarnock marks the cheapest area across the UK for first-time buyers specifically to invest in, with property prices that are significantly below the UK average, which is now £267,200, according to Zoopla.

Elsewhere, Greenock in Inverclyde ranked in second place, where the typical price for a first-time buyer comes in at £88,862, while Grimsby came third at £93,427.

What locals say about Kilmarnock

After spending six ‘fruitless months’ house-hunting in Glasgow, @Bettylurker decided to move to Kilmarnock. And so far, she’s ‘really enjoyed’ it.

‘[I] feel it’s as safe as where we came from (Cathcart on the south side of Glasgow). Now we have a lovely house and garden for a fraction of what similar properties were going for in Glasgow,’ she wrote in the r/Kilmarnock Reddit thread.

For @linzid83, it was fundamental to point about that their beloved ‘Killie’ might get a ‘bad rep’ – but in their experience, there are now ‘plenty of new estates with young families and professionals.

‘The main street where shops etc were doesn’t have that much now, but you’re only 30 mins from Silverburn/Braehead/Glasgow city centre. There’s good bus links and train service too,’ they added.

Likewise, @chrisscottish has lived in Kilmarnock for 13 years – and says it’s ‘no better or worse’ than anywhere else.

‘We bought a couple of different houses here always in “nice” bits and never had a spot of bother. We moved last year and sold a house which if it was in Glasgow’s west end would have been a million quid,’ they penned.

‘Would I want my kids to buy a house there, sure….it’s affordable and gives them a step on the ladder.’

Things to do in Kilmarnock

Ready to make the move? Kilmarnock is steeped in history – and is actually home to the largest monument of poet Robert Burns in the whole of Scotland.

First opened in 1879, the Burns Monument Centre is now a listed building, serving the local community in hosting educational and cultural events, conferences and even weddings.

If you want to learn even more about the locality, the Local History Service can also be found here, and houses newspapers, maps and books.

Likewise, The Dick Institute has everything inside it from science to archaeology, as well as classic favourites for the little ones including Brian the lion, Samantha the dinosaur, and even a 400-million-year-old scorpion fossil.

There’s also a tearoom offering home-baked goods and barista-level coffee, if you need an afternoon pit stop while you’re there.

If you’re in search of something stronger, Kilmarnock is home to plenty of watering holes, including The Standing Man, The Carrick, and The Thack Inn.

There’s also green space (and vast swathes of ducks and water fountains) to be found at Kay Park, while Dean Castle Country Park was described by VisitScotland as the ‘jewel in Kilmarnock’s crown.’

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Anyone from the North West will likely be familiar with the ‘iconic’ shape of the Stockport Pyramid – a unique blue glass building which, built in 1992, sits neatly alongside the M60 motorway.

Among locals, the giant structure is dubbed the ‘The Great Pyramid Of Stockport’.

Who needs to head to Egypt, when you’ve got the pyramids right here? There have even been songs written about it.

The Stockport icon had been left empty for seven years, after The Co-operative Bank, who had offices there, relocated.

But now, it’s been given a new lease of life, in the form of a mega-restaurant, that will have room to feed a staggering 1,500 customers.

The pricey regeneration has the building converted from a commercial property into none other than an Indian restaurant, set to open later this year.

The structure is being taken over by restaurant chain Royal Nawaab – which also has locations in London, including inside the Hoover Building along the A40 – employing 150 staff across the building’s multiple floors.

Plus, there’ll be not one, not two, but three banqueting suites, catering for anywhere between 60 guests and 800.

‘I liked taking on this challenge and after working on a historical building in London, I’ll be proud to have this as a Royal Nawaab,’ the chain’s founder Mahboob Hussain told the BBC.

As he noted, the construction process has encountered ‘a lot of challenges’ on account of its unique shape, but said it’s ‘why it’s called iconic.’

So, what’s the story behind this quirky pyramid – and how did it get there? It was originally intended to be one of multiple structures planned for the area as part of the ‘Valley of the Kings’ project, with construction starting five years earlier in 1987.

However, the developers went into administration before their original vision could be completed, and so the building was repossessed.

It was empty for three years until The Co-operative Bank eventually moved in in 1995, where it stayed until the branch relocated to Manchester’s city centre in 2018.

Stockport locals have long been proud of the building’s unique design – so much so that one even branded it the ‘8^th wonder of the world.’

‘I’ve been seeing a few pyramids from around the world on this group, however none come close to the 8th wonder of the world that is referred to as “the pyramid” in Stockport, Greater Manchester UK,’ @Procedure_Worried penned in a Reddit thread dedicated to showcasing examples of ‘quality craftmanship.’

‘Some even say it’s visible from space or just the number 192 bus.’

Meanwhile, @Sparda_Kai was fondly reminded of driving past the pyramid on the way to Manchester Airport for family holidays as a child, noting that they ‘always like seeing’ the structure for the nostalgia.

And, a homage to the structure, Manchester-based musician Antony Szmierek even penned ‘The Great Pyramid Of Stockport’ – with the music video featuring in the backdrop.

‘I’ve seen a pyramid, they built one in Stockport, a reincarnated insurance headquarters now an Indian restaurant,’ he raps, adding ‘imagine what the Pharaohs could have done with a four-day working week and a three-fingered Twix.’

Naturally, countless locals were delighted that their beloved pyramid had inspired a song toured both across the nation and Europe-wide.

In the YouTube comments below Antony’s video, @jameskwant3, originally from Crewe, reminisced about seeing ‘that pyramid may a time on the way to Bones skatepark back in the day.’

‘Now I feel like visiting the Pyramid both in Cairo and Stockport,’ @UB30 joked, while @willridgeon880 dubbed it a ‘Northern anthem.’

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Always enjoyed your own company? Well, the off-grid property of your dreams just hit the market, and there’s not a neighbour in sight.

The five-bedroom home – known as Doune Bay Lodge – is perched on the peninsula of Knoydart in the Scottish Highlands, offering stunning views over the Sound of Sleat to the Isle of Skye.

But you don’t have to just look at the views from inside, you can get right up in them, as the property comes with its own private beach, a little cove you can have all to yourself on the Western shore of the Knoydart peninsula.

You won’t have to worry about power cuts either because this property is completely off-grid, getting its power from a solar PV and micro hydro system.

And while you might be thinking something like this would break the bank, it’s actually on the market for offers over £395,000.

The best part is, that it’s pretty much ready for a new owner to move straight into as it was recently renovated.

Set within two acres of its own land, the property is laid out over two levels, with five en-suite bedrooms, a modern kitchen, open-plan living and dining area, an elevated outside decking space and its own boathouse.

While the remote property will be a dream-come-true home to some, it prompted mixed responses from Reddit users who shared the listing.

A user known as u/Scorned-Scorpion posted a link to the Rightmove site, saying: ‘This is just incredible, your own beach!’

And u/SpaceMonkeyOnABike agreed, revealing they’d stayed in the house before, but there was one issue with it: ‘I’ve actually stayed there! Beautiful place. Midges are savage though!’

u/StripedSocksMan also warned others that living in that area would mean dealing with the midges, commenting: ‘The midges in the western highlands are no joke! We left the west coast and moved to the east coast to get away from them, my poor dogs wouldn’t even go outside in the summer.’

However some weren’t bothered by this and thought the place was a real find, as u/Patisserie_Chicken wrote: ‘I’m sure there are lots of things that make living here less than convenient… but even with that in mind, does this strike anyone else as being pretty cheap for what it is?!’

And u/Dazzling_Bat_Hat added: ‘I’d love to live there. We stayed in Knoydart a few years ago and I loved it. Also loved the little boat ride from Mallaig to get there. My idea of perfect being that out of reach of most of humanity.’

Others thought the property was ‘beautiful’ and ‘poetic’, while a few joked it would be the ideal place to hide in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

A couple of people also flagged that getting to such a remote location might be a bit of a drag though.

That’s because getting to the lodge involves catching a passenger ferry from Mallaig to Inverie, followed by a 5.5 mile drive on the only road on Knoydart and then a short 1km walk on a track.

If you want to shave down the journey time, the current owners also have their own boat for direct access with moorings and access to a pier, slipway and commercial sized boat shed.

Don’t panic if you don’t have a boat, as you very easily could. According to the listing a 10m coded faster charter boat; dingy, 8-seater car and quad are all also available to buy with the home by further negotiation.

Or if you love the place but don’t fancy living there yourself, the home has most recently been used as a holiday let, so you could always invest in it and use it this way.

Clearly, there’s lots to think about here…

Those who love looking at homes up for sale might also be intrigued by a few other unique properties that hit the market of late, including a plane-spotters dream home at the end of UK airport runway which is up for £260,000, or one of London’s skinniest houses at 7ft wide on sale for £1,250,000.

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Welcome back to What I Rent – Metro’s tenant diary series exploring what renting is like in the UK and further afield.

This week, we’re in Aldgate, East London, meeting Pedro Henrique, 28, and Fiona Ann, 27, at their two-bedroom rented flat.

Having met in 2020 when they were both living in Spain, the pair fell head over heels and subsequently moved back to London together, where they’d each lived previously.

They started out by the river in Vauxhall, but after realising that they wanted more from their living space, the couple made the move to East London. Now, they’re both less than a 30-minute walk away from their offices, and have their own balcony and plenty of space to host friends.

Here’s what Pedro had to say about their renting journey…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Pedro, and I’m Brazilian but have lived most of my life abroad. I’ve moved 10 times through a total of six different countries. Over the years I’ve kept coming back to London. My partner Fiona is American and had previously lived in London.

We met in 2020 when we were both living in Spain. At the very beginning of our relationship, Fiona got Covid so we decided to quarantine together.

We spent two weeks together when we were still very much getting to know each other. Luckily, we really enjoyed our time together and have been together ever since.

Where is your home based?

We live at Alma, a Zone 1 rental community located in Aldgate East between the City and East London’s creative neighbourhoods. 

What kind of property do you rent and how long have you been there?  

We have a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment. We moved to Alma in January 2025.

How much do you pay to live here?

We pay £3,700 a month between the two of us.

And what do you get for what you pay?

We wanted to live in a modern building that was within walking distance from our jobs. We liked that Alma had a gym, a roof terrace, a workspace and more.

We also valued having people on-site at the building 24/7. At our last place, we used to get packages stolen from time to time which was always quite a hassle.

Do you feel like you have a good deal?

Alma is an excellent place to live. The amenities are great and feel almost like an extension of your home. The staff is also incredibly friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand.

We also love that Alma has partnerships with local businesses that encourage us to get out and try different things in the area. 

What do you love to do in your flat? 

Fiona enjoys reading in the winter garden and cosying up in our big chair out there. I enjoy watching movies, and TV shows and playing on my PlayStation. Together, we love to cook meals together and play cards or backgammon. 

What do you think of the area? 

We really love the sense of culture and the number of local businesses in the area as we think it’s quite hard to find that local sense in such a central area. Fiona’s a big fan of Libreria Bookshop and I love the Classic Football Shirt store.

We wanted a place from which we could both walk to our respective offices in 30 minutes or less. We’re a one-minute walk from Aldgate East station and five minutes from Aldgate station which gives us access to several train lines. We’re also within walking distance of Liverpool Street.

How did you find this property?

We found it browsing on Rightmove. I had been looking for a long time for a modern building in Zone 1 and had a hard time finding options that excited us. We were so happy to come across Alma. 

How have you made this place feel like home? 

We’ve been decorating the place quite a bit, hanging up some paintings and family photos. As we have two bedrooms we made the second one an office/guest room and we’ve also created a very cosy space in our winter garden to read books and relax.

We both love to host people and already have friends lined up to come stay with us as the second bedroom is quite spacious!

Have you found it difficult to decorate when renting? Is your landlord happy with you doing bits? 

We’ve found that having our walls decorated is an easy way to make the place feel like our home. We’ve got a mix of art we’ve picked up from different trips, family pictures, and postcards from loved ones.

Fiona’s grandma is an antique dealer, so we’ve got some pieces from her around the house that we think add character and a bit of grounding force to quite a modern apartment. 

Do you feel like you have enough space? 

We were previously living in Vauxhall. When we moved there, I was mainly working from home, so we ended up prioritising a bigger apartment vs location.

Looking back, we’ve realised that though our previous flat had a lot of space, it wasn’t set up super well. We’ve been really happy with how the space is designed at Alma, even little things like the closet shelving is super functional.

What would you like to have but don’t with this flat? 

We would love to have even more sunlight, but understand that that’s a tall order in London! 

Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with? 

We had some slightly oversensitive leak detection but this was very quickly dealt with by the building staff.

Do you have plans to move again any time soon? What about buying a place?

No plans to move anytime soon. We’re not thinking of buying a place currently, but it’s something we’re considering down the road.

Shall we have a look around?

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With space (and rent) at a premium in many big cities nowadays, tiny homes have become something of a fashion trend, and London is no exception.

Now, a property billed as ‘London’s second narrowest home’ has hit the market for £1,250,000 – and it measures just seven feet wide.

Spread over three floors and billed as ‘Tardis-like’, the two-bedroom home, located in the swanky district of Notting Hill Gate, dates back to around 1930.

However, for a ‘compact home,’ it’s fair to say a lot is packed into it.

The property boasts an open-plan kitchen and dining area, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a drawing room, and even a roof terrace.

As you might expect, the house also has more than a few quirky features, including a zinc canopied entrance, a custom-made dragon’s head downpipe, a vintage-looking pull-out lamp, a stained glass front door, and a decorative fireplace, to name but a few.

How big is London’s second-narrowest home?

For fans of strange analogies, at seven feet wide, the property is about half the length of a VW Beetle (13.38 feet).

If you’re looking for something more London-specific, that’s about a quarter of the size of one of the capital’s buses (27.5ft).

The gross internal area is listed as 49 square metres, (according to Rightmove), meaning it’s about one-fifth the size of a tennis court (261 square metres).

However, the good news is that it’s around three-and-a-half times larger than the average American parking space (15 square metres).

The history of London’s second-narrowest home

The home was initially built on a ‘ransom strip’ of land, which connected the road to a long-demolished building behind the property.

For those fortunate enough not to have come across this situation, a ransom strip is a piece of land needed to access an adjacent property from a public highway.

However, payment is usually demanded for said access – hence, ‘ransom.’

While it was built in the 1930s, the home was subsequently refurbished during the 1950s and has been in its current owner’s possession for around 10 years.

How much is London’s second-narrowest home?

Let’s face it: paying a lot for little space is nothing new in London. However, this tiny house might be taking it to a new level.

The price tag for London’s second-narrowest home is a cool £1,250,000, meaning you’ll need to have pretty deep pockets to consider making an offer.

With the gross internal area listed as 49 square meters, you’ll be paying around £25,510.20 per square meter. Yikes.

For the imperial fans among us, that’s 538 square feet at a price of £2,323.42 per square foot.

What do people think about London’s second-narrowest home?

As you might imagine, Reddit users had a few things to say about this unique property.

The property and decor seem to have been warmly received, with @GoodGrapeVimtoFiend saying, ‘I like it! It doesn’t seem half as claustrophobic as similar ones that I’ve seen—it’s been really well done.’

@Entire-Emotion-819 also added, ‘It may be skinny but they made it work really well, it wouldn’t feel cramped to me, I love it, and the ickle baby kitchen sink, that’s cute lol.’

However, more than a few Redditors had a couple of things to say about the price, with @Rev_Biscuit asking, ‘Why am I still amazed at the amount of money people pay for a postcode?’ and @PM-me-your-knees-pls adding a humourous take, saying ‘I’m adding some plasterboard to the walls until it’s officially the narrowest house in town and hopefully gaining half a million in value.’

It’s the dragon’s head downpipe that won it over for us, but unfortunately, we might have to wait for a lottery win to make an offer.

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Perched right on the River Stour in Essex is the unassuming village of Mistley, famed for its warm community feel, unique history, and now, its highly efficient train station.

Mistley has one of the highest performing stations across the UK – and it’s just over one hour by train from London Liverpool Street. Just hop on the service to Manningtree for one stop and change for the direct line. Who needs to live in the Big Smoke anyway?

With services run by Greater Anglia, between January 5 and February 1, every single train that was scheduled to stop in Mistley successfully arrived – and there were zero cancellations, making it an idyllic location for London commuters, who have long been flocking to this Essex bolthole in their droves in search of a quieter life.

Elsewhere, Buckenham in Norfolk was the only UK station boasting a perfect score, according to the Office of Rail and Road, with no cancellations or unscheduled stops.

Every single train arrived on time (or within three minutes), but the catch? A mere 100 trains stopped there during the four-week time period analysed.

By comparison, the worst performing train station was Ince and Elton up in Cheshire, where a whopping 22.8% of all trains were cancelled, followed by Gathurst in Greater Manchester at 16.2%.

House prices in Mistley

House prices don’t come cheap in Mistley, with the average property fetching £338,305 over the last year, Rightmove says.

The majority of these were detached properties, which averaged out at £531,542, while semi-detached homes went for £310,375. Notably, the typical UK house price is currently considerably lower at £267,200, according to Zoopla.

However, if you live and work in London, it could be well worth investing some of your hard-earned cash in Mistley, where you’ll undoubtedly get slightly more for your money.

Read: you won’t have to deal with pesky London landlords, and you might be able to afford more than one bedroom.

Things to do in Mistley

Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle? Mistley could be just the tonic you need.

In terms of its history, during the 18^th century, politician Richard Rigby had ambitious plans for Mistley, envisaging it as a saltwater spa town. At the time, Mistley was relatively small, with only a port, a few warehouses and a small church, constructed in 1735.

Though his spa town vision never came into being, The Mistley Towers of the local church remain to this day, as do many Georgian structures along the high street – which are well worth a nosy, should you be into your local history.

Just down the road in Manningtree, there’s the outdoor market on a Wednesday and Saturday, where you’ll find everything from locally sourced fish to fresh vegetables and a sweet treat or two.

If water sports are your thing, the Manningtree Mermaids Wild Swimming Club offers a safe space for people of all genders to swim together across the Stour Estuary. If you identify as any kind of ‘merfolk,’ you’re welcome. Last year, they were even presented an award after they campaigned to secure designated bathing water status at Manningtree Beach.

Likewise, the Stour Sailing Club describes itself as ‘most friendly.’ It’s been going since 1936, and now has just over three hundred members.

For something a little different, Mistley’s annual pram race was recently revived, a combined effort from Mistley Parish Council and Mistley Rugby club.

Naturally, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a team of two people racing to get to the finish line, with the ‘baby’ in the pram and the ‘parent’ pushing. Last year, the route featured eight pop-up pubs, with teams stopping off at each for a tipple along the way.

If you’re in search of a more permanent drinking hole though, The Red Lion in Manningtree is a favourite among locals, famed for its real ales, craft ciders and comfy sofas. There’s also The Mistley Thorn, The Crown and The Anchor.

What locals love about Mistley

It’s safe to say that locals are completely besotted with Mistley, highlighting its strong sense of community and proximity to nature.

Over on the r/Essex Reddit thread, @Mikeybarnes, whose parents have lived in Mistley for the last 10 years, said it has ‘a proper community feel’ that they don’t ‘think you get [in] many other places.’

@StillJustJones pointed out that while there’s ‘not loads to do culturally,’ that ‘doesn’t really matter as you’re in a bloody fab area.’

‘The wider area is just smashing. Dedham, East Bergholt and Hadleigh are all within easy reach and really nice places. In the other direction Wrabness, Julie’s House, the nature reserves and RSPB site are just lovely,’ they added, while @Dazza477 described it as the ‘perfect place to live.’

And, although @SshhHereHeComes lives just up the road in Colchester, he gets a ‘really good feeling’ whenever he comes out towards Mistley – and even goes as far as driving his dog there ‘just so I can walk him there rather than where I live.’

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Ahead of the rise in stamp duty on April 1, many first-time buyers are rushing to complete before the deadline to avoid overpaying.

Stamp duty is the tax paid when purchasing houses, flats and other land and buildings over a certain threshold. At present, nothing is required on anything worth up to £250,000, and first-time buyers are exempt up to £425,000 – but only until March 31.

But there’s one little-known thing that first-time buyers need to look out for when perusing new properties, and that’s the property’s EPC (or energy performance certificate).

Put simply, it’s a nifty piece of information that ranks how energy efficient a property is, with A being the most efficient and G being the least.

Likewise, it also shows the potential – or what it could be improved to, with a little bit of TLC. Read: quite a lot of extra work, time and money spent on improving insulation.

In fact, taking a bit of extra time to check this information before committing to buying could save you thousands per year. Previous statistics from Knight Frank found that moving from a D-rated to a C-rated property could save up to £400 per year in energy bills, adding a further 3% (£9,003, on average) to their value when relisted on the market.

The difference for jumping from bands E to C was even higher, with savings of £1,000 per year – or £83 per month.

‘When you buy a property, your solicitor will send you a copy of your new home’s EPC, but if you’re not quite there yet, it’s easy to find with the government’s EPC search tool,’ OVO Energy Expert, Celia Rumbold, tells Metro.

‘Taking the time to read the EPC in full is well worth it, as it can help you understand ongoing running costs and plan any energy efficiency improvements you might want to make to reduce your carbon footprint and save money.

‘Plus, a higher EPC rating can add value to your home if or when you come to sell in the future.’

Likewise, new research from OVO finds that when it comes to first-time buyers specifically, more than one-third (37%) wish they’d better understood how an EPC rating could affect their bills and a fifth (19%) admit that they didn’t so much as take a glance at their home’s EPC rating before putting in an offer.

Sharing her other tips other first-time buyers should know before they move in, Celia suggests finding out the current energy supplier for your new property.

You’ll typically inherit the previous occupant’s energy supplier if you don’t switch, which leaves you liable to overpay. According to OVO’s research, 55% of first-time buyers didn’t know this before they moved and were caught unawares.

‘You’ll usually just end up on their standard variable rate tariff if you do nothing, which is rarely the most cost-effective option,’ Celia adds.

‘The good news is, it’s easy to switch to a different tariff or supplier and, if you don’t know who supplies the energy to the house, all it takes is a simple online search.’

And, once you’ve moved in, it’s worth shopping around a little bit for something cheaper – or even greener.

‘It takes just a few minutes to compare your options and switch via comparison sites and checking suppliers’ websites for special offers. Your EPC will also come in handy as you can use the energy usage estimate to get a more accurate idea of the total cost,’ Celia notes.

‘Plus, it’s worth bearing in mind that paying by direct debit and having a dual fuel tariff if you have gas and electricity, usually gives you a discount.’

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A hotel receptionist has revealed she won £500,000 after she was encouraged to enter the famed Omaze prize – by a former winner who previously scooped a £2,500,000 home.

Hannah Symes, 31, took home half a million in cash after she met Jo Booth by chance after she came to stay at the hotel where Hannah worked.

As Hannah was checking Jo in, she asked her what she planned to do during her stay – which is when Jo revealed that she was staying in Yorkshire as she’d actually just won an Omaze house.

‘I thought to myself ‘that sounds like a bit of alright’. So I gave Omaze a Google and it all looked great, amazing houses and raising money for charities, so I thought, “what’s there to lose” and signed up that very same day,’ Hannah, who is originally from Plymouth and now lives in North Yorkshire, shares.

‘Safe to say it’s the best question I’ve ever asked and the best tip I’ve ever had.’

Two months after she met Jo, she had an email from Omaze. She was told she’d won something from them, and they wanted to call her.

That morning, she’d been up since 5am researching the details of a trip to Legoland with her five children for her son’s birthday. Pricing it all up, she realised that the cost was going to be ‘astronomical,’ so when she realised she’d struggle to afford it, she felt ‘disheartened.’

‘Before Omaze called to let me know exactly what I’d won, my head was going ten to the dozen thinking what it could be,’ Hannah, who has worked in the hospitality industry for 15 years, reflects.

‘I knew it wasn’t a house as the current draw hadn’t closed yet, but it just didn’t click that it might be money.’

The next thing she knew, Omaze was telling her she’d won £500,000 – and their lives were forever changed in a mere instant.

‘It was hard to compute the number. I had to write it down on a bit of paper to make sense of it-half a million is just an insane amount of money,’ Hannah says.

The money’s timing was perfect not just because it meant she could afford that trip to Legoland after all: the prize was drawn the day before her birthday, and was subsequently the ‘best birthday present’ Hannah had ever had.

‘I couldn’t believe it when the money landed in my account, I had to do a double take; I’ve never seen so many zeros in my life,’ Hannah adds.

‘As soon as I got the money, I started paying off all our outstanding bills. It was amazing seeing the bills disappear, but still having so much money left in the bank; it was the best feeling.’

As the family currently rent, their ‘biggest priority’ is using the money to secure a home of their own, and they’re currently looking at five and six-bedroom houses.

Last year, they were given notice on their previous property the same day Hannah went into labour with their youngest daughter, Matilda, leaving them with the ‘added drama’ of having to secure a new home with a newborn, alongside their four other children, Rowan, Nathan, Lily and Gorgie.

It affirmed to them that they didn’t have the ‘stability’ they so desperately craved.

‘It hadn’t been the easiest of years in general, to be honest. I ended up giving birth to Matilda on the A64 in the back of an ambulance, as she had breached,‘ Hannah shares.

‘We thought my partner Rob was going to have to deliver her with help from the ambulance service over the phone at one point.

‘But now this money has come at the perfect time for us, it’s a miracle really. The kids are going to love the new house we buy, there’ll be loads of room for all of us, we can finally have some privacy for the first time in ten years.’

On what her win means to the family, Hannah, who often works 50-hour weeks, notes that it’s taken ‘away all the stresses we previously had and allows us to look at life differently.’

‘It’s not just the stuff we can buy,’ she concludes. ‘It’s the time we can spend with the children now, to us, that’s priceless.’

Naturally, Jo was absolutely thrilled when she realised that her tip had encouraged Hannah to enter the Omaze prize.

‘I’m so happy that I encouraged Hannah to enter, she’s lovely and her beautiful family really deserves this win,’ she says.

‘I always leave a good tip whenever we go out, but nothing will ever top £500,000. She said I’m her lucky charm now.’

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If you’re looking to shave a few pennies off your first home, one ‘underrated’ UK city has been named the top pick for first-time buyers ahead of the stamp duty deadline.

Tucked away in the East Midlands is the cathedral city of Lincoln – where, according to a new study, house prices for first-time buyers now average out at just £168,000.

Meanwhile, data from Zoopla places the current UK-wide house price at an average of £267,200 – almost £100,000 more. Naturally, the story is even starker in London, where prices rise to £673,483. Ouch.

Ahead of the stamp duty deadline on March 31, when the threshold drops for first-time buyers specifically from £425,000 to £300,000, many are rushing to complete to avoid overpaying.

Along these lines, research from Rightmove finds that more than 70,000 homeowners are set to miss the stamp duty deadline, meaning that home-movers will pay an average of £2,500 more by completing in April instead of March.

Why is Lincoln good for first-time buyers?

A new study from Barratt Homes has analysed key factors for first-time buyers, surveying 500 UK people aged between 21 and 34 on the factors most influencing their decision to buy.

The number one priorities they shared included property prices, transport connections, school Ofsted ratings, and annual salary growth.

In Lincoln specifically, ONS data placed the average house price for first-time buyers at £168,000 in 2024. Traffic density – the average number of cars per kilometre of road per year – was also considered, ranking at 208,050, while the average Ofsted education rating was 7.5 out of 10.

Lincoln similarly ranked highly for the average size of the nearest public green space at 124,939 square metres, and the data identified four supermarkets per 10,000 people.

Finally, the annual salary growth was placed at 6% – though this was lower than other locations, as the likes of Eastbourne and Oxford saw increases of 15.7% and 10.8% respectively, giving it a first-time buyer score of 95.

Things to do in Lincoln

Whether you’re looking for a quaint coffee shop, a history lesson or some plush greenery, Lincoln has plenty of wholesome activities to offer.

As a Medieval city, there’s history everywhere you look, with landmarks including Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle, and the Medieval Bishops’ Palace, which was built as early as 1163.

For a Sunday morning brew, head to The Boat House, Coffee Depot or Fenland Hideaway, or enjoy a cake or two at Tilly’s Tea and Gift Shop or Stokes High Bridge Café.

The wider city area also has an array of green areas, including Hartsholme Park, the Arboretum, and Whisby Nature Reserve, which is inundated with wildlife and nature trails.

Just south of Lincoln, there are outdoor activities aplenty to be found at Hykeham, including open-water swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and even kayaking.

And for plenty more outdoorsy action, the Peak District is just over an hour’s drive away.

What locals say about Lincoln

Hailed as a seriously ‘underrated’ destination, many Lincoln locals are immensely proud of their city, which has a thriving nightlife scene and tonnes of greenery right on the doorstep.

‘It’s a Medieval historic city with a great night out, interesting local shops and two universities. I feel like a lot of people just don’t know how good it is,’ @charlottehans recently penned in the r/Lincolnshire Reddit thread.

‘I think it’s just bordered by some pretty s*** places and a bit difficult to get to which puts people off.’

@RaveyDave666 was ‘glad’ that they’re still ‘flying under the radar,’ while @Bluestone_42 noted that in the past, they thought it was ‘lacking’ as a city but ‘the redevelopment over the years has been impressive.’

Meanwhile, @ouzanda just moved to Washy on the outskirts of the city, and is ‘blown away every time’ they ‘step out the front door.’

‘My only negative would be that living at the bottom of the hill feels like a lot of effort,’ they added.

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From sky-high property prices to chipping away at the deposit fund, getting on the housing ladder in the UK as a first-time buyer is no mean feat.

According to figures from Zoopla, the average property now costs £267,200 nationwide, and is predicted to rise 2.5% by the end of the year.

But there are still ways to get on the property ladder amid skyrocketing costs, from considering the power of shared ownership to making the most of your Help To Buy ISA or Lifetime Individual Savings Account.

There are also mortgage deals that’ll see you given up to £5,000 in cashback for signing, which certainly sweetens the bitter cost of rinsing your savings account.

Looking to get on the property ladder soon? Metro chatted to a property expert about all the perks first-time buyers in the UK can take advantage of.

Remember you’ll be covered by stamp duty land tax relief

This one isn’t something you’ll need to remember to do, as it’ll be applied automatically – but it’s a nifty help to first-time buyers regardless.

Stamp duty is the tax paid when purchasing houses, flats and other land and buildings over a certain threshold. At present, no stamp duty is required on anything worth up to £250,000, and first-time buyers are exempt up to £425,000 – but only until March 31.

‘Stamp duty is a tax paid to the government by homebuyers and, as it stands, first-time buyers are exempt from paying stamp duty on any purchase up to £250,000,’ Lomond CEO, Ed Phillips, tells Metro.

‘However, as of March 2025, this threshold is set to reduce to £125,000. It’s also important to note that should you purchase over £625,000, no first-time buyer relief is afforded and this threshold falls to £500,000 as of March.’

Research from Rightmove finds that more than 70,000 homeowners are set to miss the stamp duty deadline, meaning that home-movers will pay an average of £2,500 more by completing in April instead of March.

Likewise, first-time buyers purchasing properties at £425,000 will need to pay £6,250 in stamp duty fees after the deadline. Tick tock.

Choose a mortgage deal that offers cashback – and don’t rule out shared ownership

Buying your first home doesn’t necessarily mean spending your hard-earned cash on the deposit, mortgage and any new furnishings: some developments will actually pay you to buy.

Take Royal Docks in London for example, where some building associations will offer cash incentives to encourage first-time buyers to move in.

Elsewhere, Aqua Gardens offers a £5,000 cashback of one, two and three-bedroom shared ownership homes – but only if you use their recommended solicitor and broker, and exchange within 28 days.

‘With shared ownership, you can purchase between 10% to 75% of a property and you can increase this share as and when you can afford to, reducing the rent owed in the process,’ Ed adds.

‘This method can be a great way for first-time buyers to get their first foot on the ladder in one form or another. However, it’s important to note that the smaller the deposit you place initially, the more interest you are likely to pay over the lifetime of your mortgage.’

Make use of your Help To Buy ISA

Saving up for a deposit for your first home can place a hefty strain on your finances – and that’s if you’re able to manage it at all.

The Help To Buy ISA was technically abolished in November 2019, but if you successfully applied for one before then, you’ll be able to use any money you’ve put into it to buy your first home until December 2030.

‘The Help to Buy ISA has since been replaced by the Lifetime Individual Savings Account and if utilising it to form a savings pot, you can then use your savings on purchases of homes up to £450,000 – as long as you’re aged 18 to 39,’ Ed explains.

‘You can invest up to £4,000 a year with the government topping up your savings by 25%.’

…as well as the First Home Scheme & Deposit Unlock Scheme

The LISA scheme isn’t the only one to take note of, though. There’s also the First Home Scheme, which as Ed explains, ‘supports local first-time buyers and key workers to get a foot on the ladder with discounts of 30% compared to market price.’

Likewise, there are schemes in place to help reduce the initial cost of a deposit (which is relatively hefty, considering that, according to Zoopla, in 2023 the average was £34,500).

As Ed tells us, the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is ‘aimed at increasing the supply of 5% deposit mortgages for credit-worthy households by supporting lenders through government-backed guarantees on 95% mortgages and is due to run to 30th June 2025.’

Take out a life insurance policy

And finally, when it comes to buying a house for the first time, you’ll need to consider taking out a life insurance policy if you haven’t done so already.

While this isn’t always a legal requirement for getting on the ladder, it might give you (and your partner, if you’re buying as a couple) peace of mind, as well as a sense of financial protection.

As Legal and General point out, some lenders consider having a life insurance policy a ‘precondition’ for qualifying for a mortgage.

‘If you own a property, a mortgage is likely to be the biggest debt you leave behind should the worst happen, so having a policy in place can help give you peace of mind,’ their website reads.

‘If you have children, a partner, or other dependents living with you who rely on you financially, taking out mortgage life insurance could be considered [an] important expenditure.’

This article was originally published on November 4, 2024.

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London is never usually synonymous with the word ‘cheap,’ but there are still a few spots bucking the trend (albeit ever so slightly).

According to new research, the cheapest postcode to rent in London is SE2 – Abbey Wood.

Here, the average rent per room comes in at £760 per month, and while it might tower over other locations across the UK, it’s a (relatively) decent deal for the Big Smoke, where prices have now reached a typical £993 per month.

Where are the cheapest postcodes to rent in London?

SpareRoom, which compared data from the final quarter of 2024 with the same in 2023, E12 (Manor Park) came in second place with average rental payments of £770 per room, while N9 (Lower Edmonton) averaged out at £780.

It was relatively positive news for patches of East London too, where E6 (East Ham) totalled £782, E18 (South Woodford) £786, and E4 (Chingford) £806.

Elsewhere, there’s reason to be optimistic as SpareRoom’s figures show that the UK rental market is (very) slowly rebalancing. UK-wide rents grew by 1% year-on-year, while London rents fell consistently for the entirety of 2024.

In the final quarter of last year, there was a -2% decrease, solidifying the capital as the only region across the UK to reduce during this period.

Things to do in Abbey Wood

Thinking about making the move to Abbey Wood? If you’re in search of green space, there’s Lesnes Abbey Woods.

Spanning 88 hectares of ancient woodland, there’s a park and the ruined Lesnes Abbey here, which holds Grade II listed status.

It also holds nature reserve status and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest on account of the number of fossils that have been found here.

If sinking pints is more your bag, the Abbey Arms isn’t one to miss. With stunning green tiling on the outside, this local watering hole serves up a range of tipples and a banging roast dinner on a Sunday.

The locals are all about the area, too. Over on the r/HousingUK Reddit thread, @Next_Independence825 bought in Abbey Wood in 2021 and is ‘glad’ they did.

‘The area has changed quite a bit since we bought, [and] the Elizabeth line has helped,’ they wrote.

‘The area is very green which I think is a massive bonus…is it perfect? No. Is it improving? I would say yes. We made a good decision.’

Another Redditor moved to the area from Peckham, and was similarly pulled by the appeal of the Elizabeth line, which they noted ‘makes it feel more like living in Zone 2 or 3 for access to central London.’

‘Bostall Woods and Plumstead Common area great. It’s a bit of an adjustment not having all the lovely coffee shops etc (yet) but it allows us to stay living in London, with a garden, and still access all the best bits of the city when we want to.’

Travel links in Abbey Wood

Since the Elizabeth Line opened in 2022, connections in Abbey Wood have grown, offering trains to Paddington roughly every seven minutes.

Before, there were no direct links to the Docklands or the very heart of the West End, but now, Canary Wharf is a mere 11 minutes away, while Tottenham Court Road can be reached in 23 minutes and Heathrow in one hour.

Southeastern services also run to London Bridge, Charing Cross, Blackfriars and Cannon Street in 33-43 minutes. Who needs to live in Zone 1, anyway?

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Always wanted to live right by the airport? The plane-spotting house of dreams has hit the market for £260,000 – and it’s right at the end of a runway.

The three-bedroom home – quaintly known as Providence Cottage – is found in the village of Bickenhill, just outside Solihull, and it’s just moments away from Birmingham Airport.

It might be something of a doer-upper, but if you’ve got the patience, it could be the perfect project. Plus, there’s already double glazing and oil-fired central heating in place, so that’s two things ticked off the to-do list.

The ground floor is relatively spacious, with not one, but two reception rooms, a kitchen, and a utility room.

That leaves plenty of space to host dinner parties amongst plane-spotting-loving friends, if that’s your bag.

You could even serve up dinner in a little aluminium tray, just like you would if you were flying 40,000 feet up in the air.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and a family bathroom, while outside, there’s access to a driveway for parking, a detached garage, and a garden for even more plane-spotting fun.

And if you’re looking to save the pennies, Providence Cottage comes in slightly under the average UK house price, which in January 2025, figures from Zoopla placed at £267,200.

Excited? There’s plenty of reason to be. It might not be as bustling as Heathrow, ranking as the seventh busiest airport in the UK, but in 2024, 12,848,201 passengers passed through Birmingham Airport.

If you’re looking to get your plane-spotting goggles on, the runway measures 10,013 feet – and is a mere stone’s throw from Providence Cottage itself.

In fact, true aviation nerds will know that there’s an official location on Google Maps for the ‘plane spotting viewpoint’ – which is around 15 minutes on foot from St Peters Lane, the street on which Providence Cottage lies. What’s not to love?

There’s no shortage of destinations to jet set off to either, as the airport is home to approximately 30 airlines serving more than 130 direct routes and 450 one-stop destinations.

Naturally, the listing made it onto the radar of the famed r/SpottedonRightmove Reddit thread, with fans labelling it perfect for ‘anyone with a major aircraft obsession.’

@Affectionate-Bat-902 joked that there would be ‘tyre tracks on the roof,’ while @Entire-Emotion-819 aptly labelled it ‘a plane spotter’s dream’ that would offer a ‘viewpoint with a roof over his/her/etc’s head.’

Want to shoot your shot? The property goes up for sale by public auction on March 27 through Bond Wolfe Auctions. You’ll need to be up bright and early, as things kick off at 8.30am.

And if you want to view before you put your life savings on it, these are open on a block basis from March 6.

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With three Golden Globes under its belt already and 10 Oscar nominations, The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody, is shaping up as a modern classic, taking over $37million globally at the box office since its release.

Its story, of Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth bringing modernist design to the US after World War II, is fictional. But it bears astonishing parallels to real-life Hungarian-Jewish architect Ernő Goldfinger, who arrived in the UK in the 1930s and went on to design some of London’s most enduring brutalist landmarks, including two early skyscrapers, both now Grade II*-listed – Trellick Tower in Ladbroke Grove and Balfron Tower in Poplar.

Early critics branded the buildings, with their distinctive service towers, eyesores. And the public was no more forgiving of the capital’s greatest brutalist project, the Barbican.

The complex of more than 2,000 homes, which opened on the fringes of the City in 1969, was widely mocked and voted London’s ugliest tall building in a poll run by New London Architecture as recently as 2014. But over the years the capital’s concrete jungles have come to occupy a unique property sweet spot.

They are often in fantastic central locations and, while not to everyone’s taste, there are many who admire the minimal lines, monochrome colour palette and smart design features that they offer.

Among the admirers are James Soane and Christopher Ash, both 58 and co-directors of architectural practice Project Orange.

In 2021, they spent around £500,000 on a studio apartment in the Barbican to use as a London pied-à-terre. They split their time between the flat and a home in Suffolk.

At just over 450sqft, the property is far larger than a typical studio, 
and the couple have fully refurbished it. They love the Barbican for its aesthetics, amenities and gardens.

‘If you have a flat, you get what we call the golden key, although it is actually brass,’ says James. ‘It lets you into lots of areas and gardens not accessible to the public, so it seems like an adventure living here.’

Of course, not all brutalist designs are created equal. James admires the robust Barbican homes, with their teak-framed windows and terracotta-tiled hallways, which have more than stood the test of time. But this is a development that was well built and has been well maintained.

Across the capital, many estates
of a similar era – notably the monstrous Thamesmead in deepest south-east London – are being torn down and replaced with modern apartment buildings.

For architect Ben Allen, living in Keeling House, Bethnal Green, meant the chance to inhabit a home designed by the British architect Denys Lasdun, who also designed the South Bank’s Royal National Theatre.

Keeling House, originally social housing but sold and redeveloped in the late 1990s, has a central service tower linked by bridges to four residential towers.

Ben, 49, founder and director of Studio Ben Allen, and his wife Frances, 40, a lawyer, bought their two-bedroom, split-level flat in 2016 for £620,000.

‘It is lovely,’ says Ben. ‘The building is quite stark but you get beautiful views, almost filmic snapshots, 
as you go up. I call it our cottage in the sky because beyond the brutalist exterior, the maisonettes themselves are very sweet.’

Ben and Frances have a three-year-old son, Aubrey. Their daughter, Alma, was born in December. The property is small for a family of 
four, which is forcing them to think about moving on, but space aside, Ben thinks Keeling House makes a great family home.

The neighbours are friendly, there are plenty of other children in the building, and there’s a small grassy area where they can play.

‘We know our neighbours pretty well,’ he says.

‘You often bump into people on
the bridges, or at reception, and although it is a diverse community, I suppose in at least one way we are like-minded because we all wanted to live in this building.’

Danny Brewer, associate partner at the Unique Property Company, has not always been a fan of brutalist buildings.

‘I used to hate them,
I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to live in these big concrete jungles,’ he says. ‘But that was before I got into the flats and saw what they were like. The living spaces are really cleverly designed. There is storage, they are warm and quiet, you don’t get damp and drafts and the light is really good.’

Most of Danny’s brutalist buyers are creatives – including architects and musicians – who love mid-century style. Price depends on which floor a flat is on, its location, and how many original features it still possesses.

‘But there is a premium. In my experience they cost about 5% to 10% more than a period conversion,’ he adds.

Those that retain a cachet include the Brunswick Centre, in prime Bloomsbury; Trellick Tower, and the fabulous, Toblerone-shaped Alexandra and Ainsworth estate in South Hampstead.

In 2021 the average sale price of homes in the Barbican topped £1million for the first time, according to exclusive research by Savills, up from an average of £905,000 in 2019.

Tina Evans, sales director at Frank Harris and Co estate agents, has years of experience selling homes at the Barbican and at the nearby Golden Lane Estate, built by the City of London in the mid-1960s.

‘It is very Marmite,’ she says. ‘You either love them or you hate them, but they have aged well. There is never any problem selling them.’

The Barbican, says Tina, tends to appeal to the ‘City crowd’, who want to walk to work and can afford its high prices. Expect to pay at least £950,000 for a two-bedroom flat, although the best properties can reach up to £1.5million.

Up the road at Golden Lane, buyers include families and architects – ‘basically people who like design,’ says Tina.

Around 60% of the homes at Golden Lane are still owned by the City. It lacks the Barbican’s incredible water gardens, and prices are a little lower – but you’ll still pay around £700,000 to £750,000 for
a two-bedroom property.

Tina believes their appeal lies in the timeless, pioneering design of the individual flats.

‘Because of their age you get bigger rooms, a great sense of light with full-height windows, which have hardwood frames,’ she says.

Even since the pandemic, when buyers were fleeing the centre of cities all over the western world in search of space, indoor and outdoor, Tina says homes at the Barbican and Golden Lane have continued to sell – partly because of their relative scarcity.

‘We have recently sold a row of three one-bedroom flats at the Barbican for £1.1million each – and that is big money in the City,’ she adds. ‘You do pay a premium to live there.’

This article was first published on February 11, 2025.

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Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.

This week, we’re in Chiswick, West London having a nose around Lexie Carducci’s two-bedroom flat. She bought the £442,000 home at just 24, having saved a 20% deposit.

She’s made a career out of the property world too, having ‘fallen’ into the industry after she started dating an estate agent when she first moved to London at 18.

Now, 15 years on, she describes herself as ‘property-obsessed,’ and works as a property personal shopper, content creator and presenter.

Here’s what Lexie had to say about her property journey…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Lexie Carducci, I’m 33 and I’ve been a London gal for 15 years now after moving here when I was 18 from Devon.

I spend my days helping househunters find their dream homes as their property personal shopper; so I’m not an estate agent, I’m employed either directly by my house hunters or by companies who need to find homes for their employees who are being relocated to London.

I then have a development company with my partner based in West London where we flip properties, title split houses, reconfigure spaces, renovate and sell them on.

I’m also a property content creator and presenter working with developers, house builders, property and home exhibition shows, property magazines, first-time buyer hubs and property awards shows, to create content for or with them, showcasing homes and producing area guides.

When I’m not on a building site, filming for a property client or helping a house hunter, you’ll find me strolling along the river with my dog Bali and maybe stopping for an afternoon tea along the way.

Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?

I currently live in Chiswick in West London, and I’ve been here for seven years after moving from Holland Park. I love the area so much that I moved from one home to another on the same street just 15 doors away. My next home which I’ll move into once the renovation is complete around the end of May is just two streets away, so I’m never leaving!

In Chiswick, you get the best of both worlds. It’s a speedy journey on the district line or from Chiswick mainline station into the city but it’s a very green area with the likes of Chiswick House and Gardens and the riverside walks.

You’ll always find me brunching in Megans or The Chiswick Fire Station. The Little Bird, Annie’s or The Hound are my go-to for cocktails and catch-ups with friends, and there are four fantastic pubs along the river.

When did you move in? 

I moved into this property nine years ago. It was the second place that I bought – originally as a flip, but I loved it so much I decided to stay. It’s a ground-floor, two-bedroom in a period conversion and it has direct access to a shared garden.

How much did your property cost? 

£442,000. I bought it in 2016.

How much was your deposit? 

I put in 20%, so £88,400.

What is the monthly cost of living here now; both mortgage and bills? 

I refinanced this property in 2018 for £575,000 after completing works on it. I now pay £2,400 per month for my mortgage. Bills include council tax which is £238 per month, gas and electric, which is £152, and water at £42 per month. There’s also a service charge of £60 per month, and I pay £35 for my internet and £8 for my CCTV/doorbell package.

Altogether that’s £2,935 a month.

How did you save up for your deposit? 

The deposit actually came from the very first property I bought which was a buy-to-let that I reconfigured from a one-bed to a two-bed and refinanced, pulling out all of my equity plus the value I had added, which gave me £130,000.

My very first mortgage came from savings and investments, and because I was working in property I knew a lot of developers. I used to invest any savings I had in their projects for a 10% ROI per annum, and I was investing about £5,000 a time – so although it didn’t give me lots of additional money, little bits definitely added up.

What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging? 

This mortgage was actually pretty smooth sailing but my very first one was tough because I was trying to get a buy-to-let mortgage as a first-time buyer, which meant I was very limited with the number of lenders who would consider lending to me.

I have always worked with a mortgage broker on any of my property deals as I find they are the best to advise me based on my personal circumstances at the time and have access to lenders you wouldn’t find on the open market.

Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)? 

The current mortgage on this property is 5.12% is on a two-year fixed which comes to the end of the fixed period in August this year. To highlight how much things can change, when I first bought this property the rate was 1.97%.

Where did you live before this – were you renting or living with family? 

Before this, I was living in Holland Park in a rental flat with my partner. A huge part of wanting to move was because we wanted to get a dog and in our rental flat we had no outside space. 

What made you want to buy rather than rent? 

I loved where I was renting in Holland Park but after owning my buy-to-let flat for two years my plan was always to refinance it and pull out money to use as a deposit on something else.

When I came to see this flat after initially thinking it would be my second buy-to-let, I actually thought it was a perfect place to call home. I loved the street and the location and it had the potential to add value to it anyway.

How did you find this property? What made you choose it? 

I actually found this place through an estate agent but off-market. As a property personal shopper, I’m always speaking with estate agents to find my househunters a home – so I did exactly the same for my own search.

I very much would always buy the worst place on the best street rather than vice versa. I would call the local agents and they would tell me about things that were either on the market or coming to the market.

It also helped that when I initially registered my search I already had my Agreement In Principle and I gave them the details of my mortgage broker, a lender I had the AIP with and my solicitor and that I had my deposit already saved. This showed that I was ready to move quickly.

I chose this property because I could see its potential. It was originally a one-and-a-half-bed with a separate kitchen, and this made me think I could reconfigure it easily into a proper two-bedroom by moving a couple of walls around.

It also was the ground floor apartment that looked over the garden so it had the opportunity to create direct garden access which would also add value. 

How have you made the property feel like home? What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style?

This was a head-to-toe renovation, so we replaced the kitchen, bathroom, all the flooring, the doors, the radiators, and all the paintwork and added a single door out to the garden from the living room.

Because we added the kitchen into the living room, we created a bar area for people to sit and eat, and act as a separation between the kitchen and living space.

For this home, my interior style was leaning towards industrial, so I had an exposed brick wall created using brick slips along one wall in the living and kitchen space. We have industrial-style pendant lights above the bar, brushed chrome fixtures and fittings and bright yellow metal bar stools.

What’s your favourite room and why? 

My favourite room is definitely the open-plan living room/kitchen. I spend so much of my time in here and although it’s not a massive space, it reminds me of toy houses I used to play with when I was little, where the spaces were multifunctional and served different purposes.

I like being able to stir whatever is cooking on the hob while my boyfriend chops the greens on the bar. I have my little pink Roberts Radio playing good vibes and serving good looks, and then our sofa, which I describe as the Goldilocks sofa because it fits the space perfectly. It’s neither too big nor too small – it’s just right.

Do you feel like you have enough space? 

I think this flat has been really functional. Do I think it had enough space when I moved in? Yes. Do I think it has enough space now? Probably not, which is why I will shortly be moving just two streets away for more space.

This home, for me, has served its purpose. Saying that, it has always been slightly on the small side for a two-bedroom property, but what made it so appealing in the first place was the location.

Do you have plans to change the property?

I have no more plans to change the property, I think I have squeezed out all I can from it by the work I’ve already done including a full refurbishment, reconfiguring the space by moving walls to create a proper second bedroom and adding the door to give direct access to the garden.

Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?

There was once a leak on the flat roof above our living space (which was an extension by the previous owner) but because it’s share of freehold all of the freeholders had a responsibility to pay for the repair of the roof, even though it was only our flat that was affected.

There’s also a shared driveway and it’s kind of an unwritten rule that the two ground floor flats have a space each (although technically it’s first come first served) so my boyfriend parks on the drive but I park on the street.

What do you want people to know about buying a home? 

There’s so much I would love people to know about buying a home. I really do think it should be taught in schools and that’s something I’m striving to do through my content creation and presenting in the property industry.

Understand what you can afford first before you even start browsing the market and get yourself organised in terms of spending habits, saving for a deposit and having a good credit score before applying for a mortgage.

Then when it comes to searching, don’t just rely on the portals; be proactive. Pick up the phone with estate agents, and be the first person they will think of to call when the right thing comes across their desk.

View, view, view, even if there is something that doesn’t quite tick all the boxes. Go and view it anyway because the wild card option will often take you by surprise.

And don’t be afraid to negotiate. If you don’t ask you don’t get and the worst someone can say is no – but back up any price reduction with evidence of why you have made that offer.

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing?

I’ve really enjoyed living here, and I’ve just got the keys to my next home. It’s a full renovation and I hope to have it ready to move into by the end of May. I’m so excited to see the vision come to life.

Shall we take a look around?

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

‘When I go on dating apps, I’m looking for an investor, not a husband,’ laughs Juliette*, 36.

The PR exec is single and lives in London. She says her dreams of owning a home in the city will never be a reality unless she couples up.

‘It’s not a position I ever thought I’d be in,’ she admits. ‘I was in a relationship for the latter half of my 20s, and I was saving too.

‘I thought if he matched what I had, that’s a house deposit.

‘But when we split up, it was back to the drawing board. I’ve got about £15,000 saved up, but I probably need to save at least another £15,000 before I can consider buying – even then, I’d only be able to afford a one-bed flat.’

And building up a nest egg isn’t easy. ‘London living is expensive,’ says Juliette. ‘Just transport alone is around £200 a month, and my rent is £800.

‘I could make more sacrifices but people forget when you’re single that if you don’t make plans and arrange to do things with friends, you end up sitting at home alone.

‘Yes, I could move further out, but I don’t know anyone in the likes of Croydon or Essex and when you’re a single, that would make for quite a lonely existence.’

For now, Juliette says she feels trapped, and finds house sharing in her 30s embarrassing – it’s why she chose to be anonymous for this article. ‘It’s a little humiliating,’ she says.

‘Why am I still having arguments with housemates about heating bills and cleaning, as though I’m a student?

‘And telling guys on dates that I still live in a house share makes me cringe.

‘I look at my coupled-up friends, and they’re upsizing. I find it hard to congratulate them. They don’t appreciate how simply being in a relationship has made their situation so much easier.’

There are millions of single people in the UK in Juliette’s position – but as ever, women are being hit the hardest.

The Women’s Budget Group (WBG), a feminist think tank, told Metro that the earnings gap where women take home 29% less than men means home ownership isn’t an option for many.

Their findings make for bleak reading. According to WBG research, shared with Metro, women need over 11 times their annual salaries to be able to buy a home in England, while men need just over eight times.

In England, for a one-bedroom property, 36% of women’s median earnings are absorbed by rent, compared to 26% of men’s. This goes up to 53% for women in London and 41% for men respectively.

Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, director of WBG, told Metro: ‘We know that women are more likely to work part-time, and in sectors that don’t offer bonuses or pay for working extra hours.

‘We also know that women tend to have less savings than men, and are also more likely to get into debt in order to afford day-to-day spending.

‘This all means that they’re far less likely to have money saved up for a house deposit.’

Likewise, data from Fairview Homes shows that women are 68% less confident that they’ll be able to purchase their own home in the next two years than men (53%). Women are also statistically less likely to buy a home with a friend than men – 23% compared with 36%.

Meanwhile, figures from Mojo Mortgages find that women need to save nearly four times as long as men to afford a deposit for their first home. Their analysis of ONS data shows that, on average, men earn £422 more each month after tax, and can save up to 40% more each month.

Research also shows that 90% of single parents are women. Dr Mary-Ann continues: ‘If you’re a single parent, you’re significantly more likely to be in poverty.

‘You have less flexibility at work because you have to be present for things like school pick ups and drop off.

‘Single parents also need bigger homes, because they need rooms for their children – which again, affects affordability.’

And even if you do get onto that first rung of the property ladder, solo home owning has its struggles.

Currently, people living alone in England, Scotland and Wales can claim a 25% discount on their council tax – meaning they still pay 75%. But if two adults (or more) live together, they can of course split it 50/50 between them. This means that people living alone pay an extra £516.24 per year.

Hayley Johnston, 32, owns a home in Northamptonshire. She knows all too well the highs – and lows – of shouldering the burden alone.

She tells Metro: ‘I used a Help to Buy scheme, so I had a 5% deposit of £7,000. There was no way I could have afforded it otherwise! I also lived at home with my parents, so was able to save up.’

She initially paid £450 a month for her mortgage, and says she felt ‘really proud’ to be a homeowner.

But in recent years, Hayley, a teacher, has had to be more careful with her finances. She says: ‘I’ve remortgaged twice and now pay £680 a month.

‘On the surface, I look financially comfortable. I have a house, a gym membership, and a car, but I’m unable to collate any kind of savings. I live pretty much pay cheque to pay cheque.

‘If anyone needed a lump sum or there was some kind of disaster, that’s something I don’t have – I don’t think I’ll be able to have savings until I had a partner.’

However, Hayley says the experience has taught her a lot too.

‘Sometimes I listen to my married friends, and they don’t even know how much their mortgage or bills are. They don’t have a proper overview.

‘The thing about doing this on your own is I’ve learnt a lot about money – I’ve had no other choice!’

While the picture may look bleak for single women, Dr Mary-Ann from WMB says it doesn’t have to be this way.

She explains: ‘We need to make a political choice to build more social housing. The renting market offers no security for long-term letters – they can be evicted quickly.

‘Social housing, owned by associations or local governments, would offer reasonable rents, long-term tenancies and wouldn’t be run for profit.

‘It would see private landlords withdraw, and house prices would go down. It means you wouldn’t need to buy a house to secure a long-term home.

‘The government also needs to invest in early education and childcare, to make it easier for women to work full time, and reduce that earnings gap.’

*Names have been changed

This article was originally published on February 12, 2024.

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A completely dilapidated cottage with a slightly eery vibe has spent the last 25 years overgrown by wildlife and vegetation – and now it’s hit the market for almost £700,000.

Found in the quiet village of Rhydlewis in Wales, the property has three bedrooms, and while it might have been overrun by nature’s fierce hand over the last two decades, it’s set amid a plush 132 acres of land.

If you’re looking to start a quiet new existence, the £695,000 listing is tucked away amid a quiet wooded valley, posing an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Naturally, though, there’s an obvious catch: it needs a considerable amount of investment.

Countless items were left behind by the previous owners, including old black and white pictures, newspapers and even complete pieces of furniture.

The asking price might seem relatively steep, vastly exceeding the current UK average which, in December 2024, Zoopla placed at £267,700 – more than £400,000 less than what this isolated home is up for.

However, it isn’t just the home you’re gaining access to, but vast swathes of land, too.

As per figures from Savills, the average acre of land now goes for £8,200, which should in theory see 132 of these alone come in at £1,082,400.

So, if you’ve got the cash – and relative patience – to spare, it could form a completely unique (and arguably a bargain) opportunity to live off-grid.

‘The property is located a mile or so outside the village of Rhydlewis that has basic facilities whilst within easy commuting distance are the towns of Newcastle Emlyn, Cardigan and Aberaeron,’ said a spokesperson for estate agent John Francis Cardigan.

The listing added that the location is ‘stunning,’ complete with a track leading up to the farmhouse from the main road for extra privacy.

‘A short drive away is the Ceredigion coastline renowned for its outstanding unspoilt scenery, lovely beaches etc,’ they continued.

Thinking about putting your name in the hat? The agent noted that this is a relatively ‘rare’ opportunity on the open market and that it should be considered a huge endeavour.

‘[It’s] a real project to take on,’ the listing added. ‘With the land, it is ideal for those looking for a self-sufficient lifestyle and even [the] potential for off-grid living.’

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Moving in together is a huge milestone in any relationship – but we’ve all heard horror stories where couples have jumped the gun and it’s all gone wrong.

One Redditor, who has only been with their other half for a year, is currently weighing up whether they’re truly ready to cohabit. And they’re not looking to rent, but to buy.

‘We both live in a medium-sized town up north, and like most places, the rental market here is stretched thin,’ @PropertyEvening368 penned in the @HousingUK Reddit thread.

‘There is rarely anything available and all are in the region of £800 to £1,000 per month. We both make approx £40,000 per year and have approx £30,000 in savings, in our late 20s.

‘I am co-renting a house with an extended family member and the living situation is breaking down, [while] my partner is living with their parents. They come from a wealthy, supportive family whereas I was forced out of my family home at 18.

‘Our relationship is absolutely rock solid, and I intend to marry this person. Our values, life goals and interests align nearly perfectly.

‘When we started dating, we both had a ‘dream’ property in mind, [a] small cottage type with some land around it in our local area.’

Now, a house has come on the market that ticks all their boxes – and having sat down with their partner’s parents to discuss it, both their guts say a resounding yes.

‘Other than sleepovers three to four times a week, we have never truly lived together so I am slightly concerned on that aspect…we both want to live here long-term and start a family in this town,’ they added.

‘Are we crazy to attempt to purchase after only a year together, or is it too soon?’

However, not everyone in the comments section was supportive – and many were advising the couple not to take the plunge.

@RuthlessRemix did ‘exactly that’ and is now ‘selling and losing loads after less than two years.’

‘Everyone told me not to do it and I didn’t listen. It’s a b****y nightmare,’ they added.

In @Ambdry’s opinion, you can’t ‘truly know someone well enough to make a huge commitment like that after a year.’

‘I know so many couples where everything seemed good, but the relationship didn’t survive actual difficult times or major life events like illness or the death of a relative,’ they penned.

‘I think living together first is essential, [as] you just don’t really know about long-term compatibility in a relationship until you’ve lived with them.’

@EmergencyOver206 agreed, suggesting it was wise to rent together for a ‘couple of years’ before buying a place.

Meanwhile, @cashmerescorpio, who has been happily married for more than a decade, doesn’t believe it always ‘ends in tears.’

‘We got engaged after three months and bought a place together a year in,’ they wrote.

So, how soon is too soon to buy a property with your partner?

As sex and relationships expert Rhian Kivits tells Metro, it’s less about how long you’ve been in a relationship and more about whether you’re both ready for the next step.

‘We may each have a personal view of how long we need to wait before moving in together and this could be influenced by our upbringing and family values, what feels like the norm within our social group, and our past experience in relationships,’ Rhian explains.

‘Some couples differ in terms of their ideas in this respect, depending upon what moving in together means for each of them – it’s possible that one partner may feel like it’s a very serious step and a measure of commitment, while the other may feel like it’s no big deal.’

Before taking the plunge, Rhian suggests asking yourself the following questions:

• What are you seeking?
• What does the idea of moving in together mean for you?
• What do you feel you will gain from taking this step?
• Will taking this step mean you will have to make changes or sacrifices that will impact your lifestyle, your relationships with friends or family, or finances, and how do you feel about this?

‘It can be helpful to get clear on your financial and legal position, especially when buying, because there may be implications to being married vs being unmarried, and there may be implications if one of you is investing more cash into a property than the other one,’ Rhian adds.

‘This isn’t because you are a pessimist and expecting things to go wrong, but it’s about creating solid foundations and knowing you are both protected, which is great because this helps you focus on your relationship and the future without these underlying worries.’

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Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.

This week, we’re in Uxbridge, West London, having a look around Billie-Jane Whitbread’s one-bedroom flat.

Having originally bought it in 2020 for £267,000, she managed to shave £33,000 off the asking price – which at the time, was £300,000.

Five years and a baby later, Billie-Jane and her partner are now looking to say goodbye to Uxbridge and move closer to her family in Iver, Buckinghamshire, where they’re hoping to buy a four-bedroom home.

Here’s what Billie-Jane had to say about her property journey…

Tell us about yourself! 

I’m Billie-Jane, I’m 32 and I’ve lived in Uxbridge for five years. I work for the removals and storage company Gentleman & A Van, and I recently returned from maternity leave after having my son.

Where is your property, and what do you think of the area? 

I live in Cowley, Uxbridge, and I love it here. The area has great transport connections, which makes commuting easy.

When did you move in? 

June 2020. 

How much did your property cost? 

I bought it for £267,000, even though it was originally listed for £300,000.

The property had been reduced in price just before I viewed it. I then under offered, and it was accepted. My auntie works at an estate agent, so she was great at helping me navigate the situation, and how much to offer to get the best deal. 

How much was your deposit? 

£13,500. 

What is your monthly cost of living, including mortgage and bills? 

Around £1,900, which I cover myself. My partner doesn’t live with me, but he stays here occasionally to see our son.

How did you save for your deposit? 

I started saving as soon as I started working. Having worked in removals for so long, I saw firsthand how important homeownership was for so many people, and that motivated me to focus on getting on the property ladder myself. 

What was the process of getting a mortgage like? Did you face any challenges? 

I was very lucky. My boss, Terance Puna, has strong connections in the property industry and introduced me to a fantastic mortgage advisor.

That made the whole process much smoother than I had expected. Seeing so many customers go through the moving process, I knew I needed expert guidance, and my advisor was invaluable in helping me secure the right deal. 

Can you share details about your mortgage (rate/term)? 

I secured a great rate in 2020 with a 40-year term at 1.63% interest. 

Where did you live before buying — were you renting or living with family? 

Before buying, I lived in Hanwell, Ealing, with my parents and siblings. 

What made you want to buy rather than rent? 

I see the excitement of people moving into their dream homes every day. It’s such a big milestone, and I wanted to experience that for myself. I also wanted the stability of having my own space – somewhere I could truly make my own. 

How did you find this property, and why did you choose it? 

I found my flat through a Help to Buy scheme, which colleagues had told me about. Through the scheme, you get a 40% contribution from the government, which you pay back at £1 per month for the first five years.

When I viewed it, I loved how spacious it was for a new build. Now, with a young family, I appreciate how that space has stood the test of time.  

How have you made the property feel like home? What’s your interior decor style? 

Gentleman & A Van works closely with some of London’s top interior designers and being surrounded by that expertise has really influenced my style.

I’ve picked up so many ideas from the designers, like adding mirrors and mirrored furniture to lighten the darker spaces, which I’ve incorporated and has really made a big difference. 

What’s your favourite room and why? 

My bedroom is my favourite space. It’s bright and airy thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and it’s where I have my favourite furniture pieces. 

Do you feel like you have enough space? 

At the time of buying, yes. But since meeting my partner and having my son, more space would definitely be a bonus. 

Do you have plans to move? 

Yes, my flat is currently on the market. The Help to Buy scheme means thatI will owe the government 40% of the current value of my flat when it sells.

I’m looking to move to Iver as I would be close to my grandparents. It’s always been my dream to live there, and we’re ideally looking for a three or four-bedroom property with a garden close to the station.

What do you want people to know about buying a home? 

Owning a home has given me so much independence, and I’ll always look back on my first place fondly.

What are your future housing plans? 

Now that my family has grown, I need more space. My next home will be somewhere with even more room to grow – ideally, a house with a garden where my little one can play.

I want to focus on making memories with my partner and son and bringing our vision for the new home to life. 

Shall we have a look around?

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

This tiny house might be rather narrow, but it packs in a lot more than you’d think.

At it’s tightest point, this cottage in Cornwall measures just 3ft, or 91cm wide.

It’s squeezed between two existing semi-detached homes, in the seaside town of Porthleven, the most southerly port in the UK.

At £235,000, it might seem like a hefty price tag for such a tiny home, but according to Rightmove, the overall average price of a property in the area is actually £367,842, so you could be bagging yourself a bargain.

The home is actually shaped like an iron – so is wider towards the rear – and features everything one person might need in a new home.

There’s a a bedroom, just big enough for a double bed, a brightly coloured kitchen, a bathroom and lounge – although be prepared to sit rather close to your TV.

You also get stunning views out to sea.

The home has an interesting history too. The street itself used to be called the Lifeboat Terrace, as its the location of the town’s first lifeboat house, built in 1863.

Other residents can recall it being call called the Box and Heater due to itsiron shape.

While it perhaps won’t suit everyone – and the estate agent has conceded that it wouldn’t work for a family – there’s been a lot of interest in the small, but perfectly formed home.

The listing from agency, Mather Partnership, said the one-bedroom house with sea views offers a ‘delightful blend of character and modern living’.

It added: ‘With its quirky design, the property is well presented throughout, making it an inviting space for those looking to get away to the coast.

‘Utilised as a holiday let by our current clients, one of the standout features of this lovely cottage is the incredible sea views that can be enjoyed from various vantage points within the home. This property truly embodies the essence of coastal living.’

The cottage gives other tiny homes a run for their money, including the shipping container in Stratford that’s the width of one double bed, which can be yours for a whopping £75,000.

The tiny home can fit a sofa, cooking area, double bed, and bathroom. Estate agents have described the container as a ‘testament to luxurious living.’

The small home is also being heralded as the ‘pinnacle of sustainable living’ using low energy and comes complete with ESG compliance.

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Londoners know all too well that it’s anything but easy to find somewhere to rent here, and for many of us, owning a property is a pretty impossible pipe dream.

Now, new data has revealed the London neighbourhoods where rents have increased the most in the last 12 months – and in the top spot was one South London hub. It might be in Zone 4, and it might be 10 miles from the city centre, but it remains endlessly ‘bustling.’

Thornton Heath is arguably most famous for its proximity to the BRIT School, the performing arts and technology institution that has a list of alumni including Amy Winehouse, Adele, Rizzle Kicks, and RAYE.

And any grime music fan will know that it’s also the home of Stormzy, as he’s referenced the area multiple times in tracks including Wicked Stengman Part 4.

But, according to new data from Rightmove, Thornton Heath is quickly becoming steadily more expensive. Between 2024 and 2025, the area saw a 14% year-on-year increase in rental prices – the largest of any area in London.

Following behind was Harlesden in the borough of Brent, Greenford in Ealing, and Barnes in Richmond upon Thames, all at 12% respectively.

Meanwhile, Biggin Hill in Bromley, Bayswater in Westminster, and East Finchley in Barnet have each seen increases of 11%.

‘While new tenants are still paying more than they were at this time last year, the pace of growth continues to slow,’ Rightmove’s Colleen Babock said of the data.

‘However, though this is the big picture of market activity, agents on the ground still tell us that the market is very hot, and some areas have improved more than others when it comes to the supply and demand balance.

‘Our own data shows that the average rental property is still receiving 10 applications per property, which is lower than the peak, but still double the pre-pandemic norm.’

Things to do in Thornton Heath

When it comes to architecture, Thornton Heath is famous for its Victorian buildings – as seen in the St Paul’s Church and St Alban’s Anglican. There’s also the newer Clocktower, found on the junction between the high street and Parchmore Road.

The sense of local community is strong too, epitomised by the Thornton Heath Community Action Team, founded in 2014 to deliver local projects to improve the area. So far, they’ve established a gardening club, as well as the Thornton Heath Art Trail.

If you’re into board games, you’ll be gunning for a visit to The Ludoquist, a board game café bar offering a whopping 1,400 board games alongside craft beer and coffee produced by Volcano, an institution famous among South Londoners.

And if football’s your thing, a trip to Selhurst Park Stadium, the home of premier league club Crystal Palace, is essential. There’s also AFC Croydon Athletic, famously co-owned by two local legends: Stormzy and former Crystal Palace player Wilfried Zaha.

What locals are saying about Thornton Heath

As for the locals’ perspective on Thornton Heath, Redditor @EarlessAgeratum was born and raised in the area and has lived there for the past 29 years.

In their view, while Thornton Heath might have its own issues, you’d be ‘hard-pressed to find an affordable area of London that doesn’t have a reputation for crime.’

‘Croydon Council has also made efforts to invest in the area to make it more presentable, and you’re more likely to find discount shops and cheap takeaway places than independent coffee shops and trendy bars,’ they add, noting that ‘not much’ has changed about Thornton Heath in their lifetime.

‘It has its problems and definitely isn’t polished but it isn’t boring either. It’s multicultural and bustling.’

Meanwhile, @OpelFruitDaze made the decision to move to Thornton Heath four years ago as Dulwich was becoming increasingly expensive.

‘We wanted more space for the kids. We’re in a quiet residential street, have a garden and nice neighbours. [We] really can’t complain,’ they wrote in another Reddit thread.

‘Thornton Heath has a reputation but moving here was one of the best things we did.’

House prices in Thornton Heath

Characterised by bright green trams, Boxpark and a massive Ikea, in January 2024, Croydon was actually crowned the most affordable location for house hunters in London, with research from Zoopla indicating that you can get on the ladder for as little as £76,000 in a shared-ownership home.

And so, it’s little surprise that it’s looking like one to watch in the London property world – even if the rents are slowly becoming more expensive.

Data from Rightmove reveals that, over the last year, the average selling price for properties in Thornton Heath more specifically was £396,996 – considerably cheaper than the typical London house, which now rests at a whopping £686,817.

‘It’s shedding its old image as just a commuter hub, with tech start-ups and creative businesses breathing new life into the area,’ property expert Sue Iluc, founder of Courtyard Holiday Apartments and self-described ‘designer holiday let lady’ previously told Metro of the area.

‘On top of that, there are big plans to overhaul the town centre, making it more attractive to people looking for a mix of affordability and city access.’

And, according to Zoopla’s area guide, Thornton Heath offers ‘affordable living in a modern urban environment that still retains suburban charm, combined with great schools and impressive transport links to central London.’

So, while the rents might be going up, there’s still plenty to be optimistic about when it comes to the buyer’s market.

Transport links in Thornton Heath

Now, Thornton Heath might technically be in Zone 4 but it’s inundated with speedy links into central London.

There’s a direct train to London Bridge which takes 36 minutes, passing through the likes of Tulse Hill, North Dulwich, Peckham Rye and South Bermondsey.

Likewise, West Croydon is located on the Windrush Line Overground, which was recently renamed to honour the Windrush generation of immigrants, many of whom have settled in the area.

And in the world of buses, the 250 connects Croydon Town Centre and Brixton, while the 450 runs from Lower Sydenham to West Croydon.

This article was first published on January 30, 2025.

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