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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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 down in Fontwell near Arundel in West Sussex, meeting Bronwynn and Seb Wisdom at their four-bedroom rented home.

The couple made the move from South Africa in 2023, and though they weren’t in a position to buy, they wanted more than just a small ‘starter’ home.

And so, they looked to Arundel, which just last year was crowned the most relaxed spot in all of Europe. It’s just three miles from the coast, after all.

Here’s what Browynn had to say about their renting situation…

Tell us about yourselves…

We’re Bronwynn and Seb Wisdom, aged 35 and 36, and we relocated to the UK from South Africa in 2023. We had considered a range of options to find the right home for us and our two cats.

We knew we wanted to put down roots, but buying a property immediately wasn’t our priority, and we were concerned by the restrictions and rules of renting with a traditional buy-to-let landlord.

When we came across our home in Fontwell, near Arundel in West Sussex, we realised we could tick each and every box with professional rental homes provider Leaf Living.

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

We reserved a newly built four-bedroom, three-bathroom family house at Leaf Living’s Fontwell Meadows development, where we’ve lived since 2023.

After seeing our families settle in the UK, our hearts longed to be closer to them. So, we made the decision to follow them and start a new chapter.

Sebastian went ahead first, determined to find the perfect place for us. I stayed behind in South Africa, navigating the complexities of my British citizenship and ensuring every detail was in place for our beloved cats to make the journey with me. They’re not just pets, they’re family, and we couldn’t imagine leaving them behind.

Sebastian moved in with his parents, who welcomed him into their three-bedroom home with open arms. For nine months in 2023, their kindness gave him a roof over his head while he searched for our future home.

They had space for him, and we were endlessly grateful, but we knew it was temporary. The house, though filled with warmth, wasn’t quite ready for both of us, especially with our cats in tow. His parents didn’t have pets, and we didn’t want to impose.

Every call, every update about potential homes brought us closer to reuniting. We held onto the dream of being together again, in a place we could call our own.

Now, we couldn’t be happier. The sense of comfort and belonging we feel here is something we’ll cherish forever.

How much do you pay to live here?

£1,700 per month with an initial deposit of £1,900. There are no hidden costs such as service charges.

And what do you get for what you pay?

Our house came with new white goods in the kitchen, which saved a considerable expense on upfront purchases and other added extras including fibre internet in our monthly rent, as well as a video doorbell, Hive thermostat and keyless smart lock.

The living area is spacious, we have allocated parking and all the developers homes have an EPC rating of B or above, which keeps our household bills low.

Do you feel like you have a good deal?

We initially looked into buying and even priced up a mortgage and worked out that we’d end up paying £700 more on monthly mortgage payments for a property of the same size.

From a financial perspective for us at the moment, renting made far more sense.

What do you love about your home? 

We had to consider our cats and were delighted to find that Fontwell Meadows is a pet-friendly rental community. We probably inquired at about 40 or 50 places, and most wouldn’t allow pets or even consider it, and any that did often charged more for smaller spaces because we had animals.

The private garden has been another highlight, offering a safe outdoor space for our cats, who both love exploring.

Where is your home based? What do you think of the area? 

In Fontwell, near Arundel in West Sussex. Seb has a 10-minute drive to work – and for me, it opened so many opportunities when job searching, as I could commute to a lot of different places, as there is easy access to cities like Chichester, Brighton, and Portsmouth.

I ended up with a role based in Tangmere, so it’s only a five-minute bus ride, an easy daily routine.

Why did you choose this property?

When Seb originally came to view a different house at Fontwell Meadows, it wasn’t quite the layout we wanted. Then our home became available, and the lettings team was super helpful in making sure we got the type of property that we wanted.

When he couldn’t attend a viewing, they even filmed a walkthrough for us so I, who was still in South Africa at the time, could see it too.

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

Our home is decorated beautifully with quality finishes, but we’ve been allowed to personalise our home with prior approval, which is a rare offering in rental homes.

Do you feel like you have enough space? 

We weren’t looking for a small starter apartment, as we needed a space that reflects where we are in our lives. We both really felt as soon as we saw the house that it was a place we could truly make our home.

What do you like about renting your home?

The process was so smooth. The paperwork was straightforward, and we didn’t have to wait weeks to get things agreed upon. If anything does happen, they’re super responsive and quick to sort things out.

We don’t feel anxious about raising concerns because we know the team is there to help. We feel like we’re in a place now that really feels like home, and we know we are going to be here for a long time. We originally signed a tenancy for one year, but we have already extended that.

How did you find this property?

We spent a tonne of time online, looking for homes that suited our look, feel and lifestyle. We came across Leaf Living in this search, and their homes at Fontwell Meadows went straight to the top of our list.

The lettings agent took Sebastian to see a few houses so he could find the size and layout that we both wanted, as I was still in South Africa at the time. When the agent sent through a video for me to see and it was still available, we both knew it was the one for us.

How have you made this place feel like home?

We haven’t done too much to the house yet; it was a beautiful brand-new home to move into with no decoration or repairs needed. We’re planning on being here for a long time, so we’re not in a rush to find our interior style.

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

We have everything we need and more with this home; there isn’t anything we would add at the moment. Seb has since bought an electric vehicle to match the house because we have the EV charger available here. No hassle with any extra installation was needed.

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

We’ve not had any problems, and the team is super quick to get back to you if you need anything.

When our Wi-Fi went down, that could have been a disaster as we occasionally work from home, but there was an extremely quick turnaround from our property manager to fix things. It’s helpful that you’re not just dealing with an agent but a professional landlord.

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

We might look to buy in the future someday, but we have no plans to move. In fact, we have extended our original tenancy because we have everything we need here.

Shall we take a look around?

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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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When moving into a new home, figuring out what to do with the space you have can be a challenge.

But the internet is in a full blown meltdown over this nook in someone’s home, which is smaller than the width of a door frame.

The location of the property is unknown, but the room in question seems to be a bedroom, and the narrow corridor between the two wardrobes is a head-scratcher for even the most experienced interior designer.

A Redditor shared the image of the space in the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, asking: ‘What should someone do with this space.’ It received a whopping 111,000 upvotes and 38,000 comments, as people tried desperately to come up with some use for it.

And, there were some pretty ingenious suggestions.

One Redditor, @i-deology, said: ‘Build a fake wall which is actually a secret door. And this is your little secret room if your house gets invaded, or the in-laws are in town.’

Then, @tokinUP added: ‘Put the secret door inside the closet’s side wall so the outside can be perfectly flush painted over drywall with furniture in front of it or something.’

There were also some pretty terrifying suggestions too. ‘Put a doll sitting in an old chair at the end of it,’ said @ODarrow, while another wrote: ‘Stand in it and scare people when they walk past.’

Others took the mick out of the current rental market, saying: ‘Bedroom for rent. Cosy space. £800/month. Lots of light.’

A designated crying corner, miniature bowling lanes, and putting greens were some more ideas floated in the comments section, while someone simply questioned how the decorator managed to paint the alcove without getting it on their front and back simultaneously.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, with a very narrow corridor of dead space that needs a purpose, don’t stress. Metro enlisted the brains of four interior designers to see what they would do with the strange space if given the chance.

A cosy reading area

Johanna Constantinou, interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets and Flooring says: ‘A mini reading nook is a great idea. Install a built-in cushioned bench or a small chair, add a plush runner or soft carpeting for warmth, and use floating bookshelves for storage.

‘String lights or a small wall sconce can create a relaxing ambience, making this a charming spot to get lost in a book.’

Try an ‘accent corner’

You’ve heard of accent wall, but what about an accent nook?

Paulina Wojas, interior designer at Stunning Chairs, suggests letting the nook simply have its moment. ‘Rather than using it as a functional area, it could be used as an accent corner, transforming a basic hallway into an aesthetically pleasing space,’ she explains.

‘Coat the walls in vibrant, on-trend colours that resonate with your taste. Opt for light tones to create the illusion of a bigger space or darker hues for a cosy aesthetic.

‘Introduce natural elements by adding plants or wooden features; opt for wood shelving for added texture and depth.’

Add some quirky seating

Deirdre McGettrick, home interiors expert and co-founder and CEO of Ufurnish.com suggests making it a seating area with a difference.

‘Knock out the wall for one of the wardrobes, then insert the equivalent of bleacher seats (steps) at basketball venues which incorporates storage and a seating area.

‘The wall with the remaining wardrobe would make a great canvas to do a mural on.’

And if you don’t fancy getting heavy handed with a hammer and knocking any walls down?

‘You can create the step effect right up to the window in the existing space, allowing for each step to pull out and have storage contained therein.’ 

A stylish storage solution

For interior designer Rossella Marzocchella, at Decor and Decor, it’s a perfect place for storage.

‘Use the space for a run of matching baskets or wooden crates,’ she tells Metro. ‘It’s a great spot for storing things you don’t need every day like seasonal accessories, spare toiletries, cleaning supplies, even rolls of wrapping paper.

‘Pick natural materials like rattan, wood or canvas to soften the edges of a tight space while deep storage baskets or crates will give the illusion it isn’t as long as it looks. Using crates with wheels, built-in handles or pull-out drawers also makes it far more user-friendly day to day.’

A secret space

Amy Wilson, interior designer at 247 Blinds, would take a similar approach, using the area for storage, but she suggests concealing the area too.

‘It presents a great opportunity for creating a secret, hidden storage area which could be stylishly concealed with full length curtains,’ she explains.

‘I would start by mounting a curtain pole just above the opening, extending it slightly wider than the gap itself as this will help the curtains to drape more naturally and not feel cramped.

‘Choose full length curtains which gently pool on the floor – this will not only hide the storage but also adds a touch of elegance.’

Knock down some walls

Architect Bill Webb, at Able Partners, suggests altering the space completely.

‘Create a pop-up lounge, by cutting out the cupboards and making a small pair of built-in armchairs with a slide-out storage unit that also acts as a table,’ he suggests.

‘This would allow the homeowner to enjoy the space by creating a sociable area for entertaining.

‘Alternatively, with a few added soft furnishings, the user could create a cosy reading nook to take advantage of the natural light.’

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You never quite know what will greet you as you step foot outside Brixton tube station.

From steel drums, to lively party-goers and the strong smell of incense (mixed in with hot dogs) wafting through the air, it’s an assault on the senses.

Influencer Olan Tekkers went viral on TikTok after painting a particularly vivid picture of the South London station, saying: ‘This place is the jungle, it’s not normal at all man, it’s a simulation.’

Others have described it as ‘like a fever dream’ and that ‘it’s like coming out a portal into another world’.

But if there wasn’t already enough going on here, the last stop on the Victoria Line could be getting a new addition, as plans for an ‘attractive new restaurant’ within the station have been proposed by TfL.

The dining spot would be situated in the disused back of the station, which backs onto Electric Lane, formerly used by tube workers as a recreational space.

The plans, submitted by TfL’s property arm, Places for London, were given to Lambeth Council, who will decide whether or not to give it the go ahead.

According to the planning documents there will be an ‘enhanced frontage’ to ‘improve the appearance of a building which is currently identified to make a negative contribution to the character and appearance of the Brixton conservation area.’

The application claims that the Five Guys restaurant situated at the north entrance of Electric Lane sets a precedent for there to be more dining spots on the former mews street.

The metal shutters, currently pasted with graffiti will be replaced with new entrance doors to the restaurant and two large windows, along with ventilation.

It’s not currently known what type of restaurant this establishment will be, although the mock up image in the planning proposals indicates a more refined dining experience, rather than a fast-food chain.

Anti-social behaviour concerns

Plans for this new restaurant also addressed the risk of the new venue attracting antisocial behaviour, which Places for London have said will be minimised by not offering takeaways.

It will also have opening hours of 10am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and close at midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Anti-social behaviour around the tube station has been a concern for some time, with the area having the twelfth-highest crime rate out of London’s 624 Safer Neighbourhood Teams – putting it among the top 2%.

A survey by ACTION on ASB – a Brixton community campaign taking action against high levels of anti-social behaviour like ‘human toileting, loitering, intimidation, theft and vandalism’ – also found that 75% of residents think anti-social behaviour is ‘out of control’ in the area.

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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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For 153 years, seven unique structures have towered over one East London suburb – and now, they’re getting a £72,000,000 revival.

The Bromley-by-Bow gasholders were built between 1872 and 1878, and until 2010, supplied a gas connection to the local community. Since then, the 23-acre site has stood without purpose – and crucially, been closed off to the public.

The largest group of Victorian gasholders in Britain, they’re the true embodiment of the peak of the Industrial Revolution and are even Grade II-listed.

Now, they’ve been given a new lease of life as planning permission has been approved for them to be converted into 2,150 new homes across 13 buildings.

Some of these new properties will be integrated into the gasholder frames – which, if you ask us, would make for a pretty unique four walls.

The plans, overseen by St William, are also looking to provide extra green space for all Bromley-by-Bow residents too, as 70% of the brownfield site will function as open space, including a 4.2-acre park with views over the River Lea. There’ll be wildflowers galore, too.

What’s more, the development will contribute an extra £4,790,000 towards sustainable transport initiatives, such as cycling and pedestrian routes, plus upgrades to existing bus services.

Dean Summers, managing director of St William, described the project as ‘one of the most challenging brownfield sites in the country.’

‘Transforming it into thousands of sustainable, well-connected homes and a publicly accessible 4.2-acre riverfront park was always going to require a unique, collaborative solution,’ he added.

‘It is a testament to our brilliant partnerships with Historic England and the London Borough Newham and the invaluable input we have received from residents that we have reached this milestone and that we move one step closer to realising this site’s enormous potential.

‘Private/public sector collaborations like these have never been more important as we continue to navigate challenging market conditions and work together to boost housing delivery and growth.’

Various locals have long felt that Bromley-by-Bow could do with a little bit of TLC, with @iantokelove describing the gasholders on X, formerly Twitter, as ‘skeletal ghosts.’

And as @strum wrote in the r/London Subreddit, having lived there for 30 years, they felt it was a ‘bit of a dead spot between Roman Road and Poplar.’

‘There isn’t a lot going on, but there’s Three Mills Studio, to the East,’ they added.

Meanwhile, @finetillyoucamealong agreed that it was a ‘bit of a nothing zone’ – but noted that ‘you’re set for transport and only a few stops from livelier places.’

Equally, there’s been plenty of love for it too, as @Naive_Standard4697 has lived in Bromley-by-Bow for almost three years, and ‘loves the canals and being able to easily bike to Hackney, Vic [Victoria] Park, [and] Hackney Marshes.’

‘Super close to Stratford, [and] Canary Wharf. Really convenient to travel into the city. There’s a few good pubs around and not too many amenities but a bunch more coming over the next year or so,’ they added.

Plus, when it comes to access to green spaces, Bromley-by-Bow is conveniently placed, being a stone’s throw from the likes of Mile End Park, Wennington Green, and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

And if you’re in search of a place steeped in history, E3 is arguably exactly that, with the aptly named Roman Road dating back to – you guessed it – the Roman era.

It once connected Venta Icenorum (found at modern-day Caistor St Edmund in Norfolk) to what was then known as Londinium (AKA, the Big Smoke).

So, if you’re in search of new digs, Bromley-by-Bow could be the sweet spot.

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

This week, we’re meeting married couple Benjámin and Dorottya, who recently swapped the stress of London renting for their first mortgaged home.

After walking past the new-build complex at Park Quarter one day in 2024, they instantly enquired online about moving in – and were some of the first homeowners in the building to get their keys back in October 2024.

They’re now getting settled in their £419,000 Barnet two-bed – and have even managed to make some home improvements to accommodate their two cats, Millie and Django.

Here’s what Ben had to say about their property journey…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Ben, I’m 28 years old and I’ve owned a window cleaning company for the last three years. Before that, I was an electrician. My wife Dorottya is 31 years old and she works as a quality assurance engineer. 

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

New Barnet. We love it as it is still very close to London and we feel like we’re closer to nature. We have everything that we need on our doorstep.

When did you move in?

October 2024.

How much does your property cost?

£419,000.

How much was your deposit?

£90,000.

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

Our mortgage repayment is £1,880 per month. We don’t currently have internet in our property since it’s a new-build and they haven’t commissioned the cables yet, but once that’s done, it’ll be around £40.

The council tax hasn’t yet been valued but we think it’ll be around £200. Our electricity costs £71 per month, water around £30, and the service charge and insurance is £100.

How did you save up for your deposit?

We’ve been saving for about 5 years together. We were renting a one-bedroom flat for £1,100 and later on £1,175, which saved us a lot of money compared to the renting market averages.

We’ve always been careful and we watch what we spend our money on. We saved a lot on organising our food shopping once a week and eating home-cooked food, cutting out takeaways, and no impulsive shopping. We also didn’t have any loans.

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

It was really quick as we had a good mortgage adviser who guided us through the process and answered all of our questions.

The challenging part was getting our bank statements in order, as we had to gather two years’ worth of monthly statements from our joint account and our personal accounts. It was an annoyingly long process.

We also received a lot of paperwork from our solicitor and mortgage advisor like the mortgage deed, which wasn’t an easy read. It was hard to digest it.

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

We have a two-year fixed mortgage of 4.76%. The full length is 25 years.

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

Finchley Central, where we were renting a one-bedroom flat.

What made you want to buy rather than rent?

We wanted our own place to call home and to get on the property ladder.

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

Previously we lived in Finchley Central and liked the area but it was too expensive for us. We wanted to stay nearby, still in London, but in a more affordable area. Once we started looking we found nice flats New Barnet and during the viewings, we saw that the area itself is nice as well.

As we were coming out from viewing a property in New Barnet we walked past our current building. We had a look later that evening on the website, we booked a viewing two days later and put an offer in straight after.

We chose it for the spacious balcony, and the fact that we would be the first people to live in the property.

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

We wanted our place to feelcosy and welcoming. We focused on neutral tones with some industrial bits, and we’re always inspired by Canva and Pinterest, but it’s still a work in progress!

We’re planning to update the hallway, finish the bathroom, install a full-wall fixed mirror with LED strips, and add more personal touches to the living room and main bedroom.

So far, we’ve changed the bathroom’s hand wash basin on a pedestal to a cupboard with a new hand wash basin on top. We also made our balcony cat-proof as we have two cats.

What’s your favourite room and why?

Our favourite area in the property is the open-plan kitchen/living room/balcony.

We love it as we have a nice and large area where we can have our friends and family together without being on top of each other.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

Yes, it’s enough for the two of us and I think later if we plan to have a baby, we will still have enough space for all of us.

Do you have plans to change the property?

No, we’re happy here.

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

As it is a new build we don’t currently have internet in our property. We moved in last October, and at the time, we were told the internet installation would be completed within two weeks.

However, the cabling work was only recently finished. We’re now waiting for the activation and commissioning on their end, which we hope will happen within the next few weeks. Once that’s done, we’ll be able to order an internet package from our chosen provider.

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

Take your time to do the research and have quite a specific idea about the must-haves in your future home. We knew we wanted two bedrooms, a balcony, a bathtub, and storage space.

A detailed list can be your best friend. If you have this strong idea, you won’t spend months viewing properties that aren’t suited to you. And get some basic hand tools!

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term?

Yes, we are planning to stay here long-term. We’ll try to save up more money and put it towards the mortgage to reduce the term or the monthly payment.

Shall we take a look around?

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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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Spring is (almost) in swing, and as the days slowly get longer, we’ve all the more desire to be out in the garden, frolicking among the flowers.

In partnership with Metro, the ufurnish.com Home Awards 2025 launched on March 4, showcasing the homeowners, influencers, innovators, retailers and manufacturers transforming living spaces across the UK.

Last year’s winners included artist Daniel Bland and his Wonderland-esque hallway, and interior designer Sally Wort, whose yellow-drenched back garden gave us some serious interiors (or, rather, exteriors) envy.

Wondering about putting your name in the hat? The awards recognise outstanding talent across 20 categories covering interiors, gardens, furniture innovation and home accessories.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your garden – or simply want to admire some absolutely gorgeous ones – we’ve rounded up seven entries from previous years to get those creative juices (or natural curiosity) flowing.

Ash Mazzina

Ash Mazzina (@ashmazzina) is all about embracing traditional British interiors all while incorporating a ‘touch’ of Italian sophistication.

When he first moved to London, he spent three years in a flat without a garden – but that all changed after he bought the ‘worst house’ on the street and made it one of the best.

To create this idyllic space, he dug up the entire garden and incorporated a walkway, decorating it with outdoor furniture and some of his favourite plants: hydrangeas, roses and lavender.

Sally Wort

Calling all fans of yellow: Sally Wort’s (@SallyDoesSassy) garden is utterly joyful in all its colourful glory – and it won last year’s garden award.

There are disco balls, bright yellow tablecloths, and even a real bathtub overlooking the rolling green hills. Who said they were just for bathrooms, anyway?

Claire Champion

A self-described ‘interiors gal,’ we feel relaxed just looking at Claire Champion’s (@charnwoodtowers) lovely garden space, from the fairy lights hanging over the pergola to the outdoor fireplace and comfy chairs.

It’d certainly be a challenge not to fall asleep in one of these during the summer, that’s for sure.

Hayley Stuart

Over the last few years, Hayley Stuart (@iamhayleystuart) has put huge effort into perfecting her garden.

Previously a concrete jungle inundated with weeds, she added a new path and patio that she stencilled herself, as well as a pergola, a log cabin, an above-ground swimming pool and even an outdoor kitchen.

All in all, her mission was to make it feel like she was on holiday – and she’s certainly achieved just that.

Alia Razzaq

A completely self-built space, Alia’s (@ourhouseinlondon) garden has become an extension of her home.

When she was thinking about what she wanted it to look like, she considered what she and her family would be using each element for, and it’s now a space where they can relax, dine and spend time with their loved ones.

She’s considered everything down to the texture of the various plants she’s featured, alongside soft, warm lighting to make the space welcoming.

Nikki Shore

Nikki Shore (@weeny_victorian_house_in_ware) is all about maximalism, colour, and fun prints – and her garden is no exception.

From the turquoise outdoor fireplace to the lanterns and the hot pink theme, we’re obsessed with how fun her space is. It’s like a Barbie Dreamhouse, but outside. And the framed prints? Genius.

Joy Rodriguez-Adams

Now isn’t this a breath of fresh air?

Joy Rodriguez-Adams (@home_joyr) did all the renovation work herself (apart from the tiling) – and now, her garden is her favourite space across her whole home no matter the time of year, with features including the central firepit keeping it warm and cosy even if it’s chilly out.

Fancy entering the Ufurnish.com Home Awards? Click here.

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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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Tucked away beneath St James Street station in Walthamstow lies Courtenay Place, which for the last 154 years, has been home to 16 now-derelict railway arches.

Now, a major redevelopment worth a total of £17,200,000 is set to give the East London neighbourhood a fresh face, with one of the projects to rebrand the area as St James Quarter complete with new businesses, lighting, art projects and even a ‘pocket square.’

Waltham Forest Council believe the plans will ‘improve the character of the area,’ as well as the connections between the underpass and St James overground station.

The new plans took just 13 minutes to approve, with Labour Councillor Jenny Gray labelling them a ‘really good idea’ destined to ‘bring life to a dead area,’ as per reports in TimeOut.

Just around the corner, CRATE St James opened in 2019 on the site of a disused car park, hosting food and drink options as well as events spaces offering everything from Tai Chi to African drumming and yoga classes.

This isn’t the first regeneration project Walthamstow has seen in recent years. In 2023, Walthamstow Council secured £17,200,000 worth of Levelling Up funding, which it’s since designated towards the Walthamstow: Culture For All projects across Hoe Street, Walthamstow High Street and, of course, St James Quarter.

‘Making Waltham Forest a better place for residents is at the heart of everything we do. We are creating a thriving and welcoming cultural destination in the St James Quarter,’ Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration Councillor Ahsan Khan said.

‘We are pleased that architects Feix&Merlin and Extended Studio can come with us on this journey to help us deliver our vision through the Levelling Up programme that will provide more green spaces and attract more visitors to the town centre, bringing an important boost for the local economy.’

Warmly regarded by locals as ‘Awesomestow,’ in 2024, the borough of Waltham Forest – of which Walthamstow is a part – was crowned the best place for first-time buyers to live in the capital.

The title was awarded by housing developer Pocket Living, which looked at house prices, crime rate and transport links across the Big Smoke.

What’s more, it also took into account the number of markets, allotments, bakeries and pubs, theorising that these establishments best suited the lifestyle of the next generation looking to get on the ladder.

Naturally, Walthamstow is bountiful in these areas, home to the likes of Eat 17 – AKA, one of the bougiest Spars in London, famous for its bacon jam, wall of East London-brewed craft beers, and of course, its sourdough. What else does one have with their eggs in the morning?

There’s also the Walthamstow Market which, dominating almost the entirety of Walthamstow High Street (bar the final 100 metres), is Europe’s second longest outdoor market. And there’s sweet treats and coffee aplenty to be found at Wood Street Bakery, Milk, and Rebel Coffee.

Locals have long been professing their love for the area too, and with so much culture around, it’s little surprise.

‘For me, the biggest appeal is that it has a proper village feel, even whilst in London,’ @cazpazaz penned in the r/London Reddit thread.

@guernican added that ‘it’s the first place’ they’ve lived since moving to the Big Smoke that ‘genuinely feels like a community.’

‘Walthamstow will cover all of your immediate needs as a “place to live,” and has enough to do to keep yourself entertained without having to leave every time you want more than just a pint or a kebab,’ @basketballpope added.

And in @Jiuzhaigou’s opinion, it’s an ‘awesome’ place to live, hailing the high street’s ‘great value veg, meat and fish, and international supermarkets’ as well as the ‘trendy posh dining areas, breweries,’ and the ability to ‘zip into central London’ on the Victoria Line.

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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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In a world where renovation costs are constantly soaring, driven by inflation, labour shortages and rising material prices, many homeowners are coming up with budget-friendly ways to breathe new life into their homes.

Katie Brown, 35, and her partner Robin McGill, 38, have taken on this very challenge in their own property, transforming their outdated kitchen cabinetry for a remarkable £250, saving themselves thousands of pounds in the process.

When the couple bought their semi-detached Victorian property in Kettering in 2020, they knew that it would need updating.

‘It was structurally sound and had some of its original features,
such as the tiled hallway flooring, but it was really dated,’ says Katie. ‘I don’t think it had been touched since the 90s!’

Their plan was to slowly update the home themselves in their spare time, balancing their day jobs and caring for their two-year-old son William, while documenting their DIY venture on Katie’s Instagram account @sweethomeketteringa.

‘We’ve mainly painted and decorated, reintroducing Victorian features, such as picture rails in the living room, bigger ceiling roses and restoring fireplaces in all the bedrooms, along with new flooring,’ says Katie, who admits they were both complete DIY novices when they bought their home, with Robin even struggling to put up a shelf initially.

‘To keep costs down, we attempted most of the projects ourselves, reusing and recycling materials where possible and learning new skills along the way,’ she says.

And when it came to the outdated kitchen, their do-it-yourself approach was no different.

‘Originally, we thought we’d have to rip out the kitchen because we
weren’t fans of the style,’ says Katie.

‘But after seeing other homeowners updating cabinet door fronts on social media, we decided to cover the dated wood carving detail on the doors with a flat piece of MDF that was more to our style.’

‘It’s a solid wood kitchen with soft-close drawer mechanisms. It didn’t make sense to rip it out and replace it with something potentially worse,’ says Robin.

The couple started by identifying which cupboards weren’t required – there were too many cluttering up 
the room – ripping out as many as they could and then patching up the side panels.

Next, they measured up the front panels, ordering them ready-cut from cutmy.co.uk, and attaching them using a no-nail adhesive from Wickes.

After priming and caulking
the edges, they finished them in Rust-Oleum’s kitchen cupboard paint in Pinewoods. For the splashback and worktop, the couple initially wanted to keep the timber and replace the tiles.

However, on inspection they realised the tile edging was superglued on to the tiles and the worktop, and removing the tiles would cause significant damage. The cost of new worktops, as well, was enough for them to adjust their plans.

‘Instead, we painted them using Rust-Oleum’s Porcelain and Happy-as-a-Clam kitchen tile paint. It’s a great paint brand, you don’t even have to add a sealant,’ she says.

Using Frogtape, Katie marked out the zigzag pattern and restored the grout lines using a grout pen.

The couple did hire professionals to sand down the worktop, which had a thick orange varnish, but Robin added a top coat of Osmo oil himself to save money.

‘We won’t need to sand it down again, just re-oil it occasionally,’ he says. ‘But it’s not a labour intensive job – it only took about ten minutes.’

For the dated glass cabinet doors, Katie applied a ribbed glass film to modernise the look.

‘It was super-easy,’ she says. After cleaning the existing glass, she measured and cut the film to size, sprayed the sticky side with a soapy water solution and positioned it using a squeegee to remove any bubbles underneath.

Robin then trimmed off any excess film. ‘I think it only took about 15 minutes in total,’ says Katie.

Next on the job list was replacing the old carpet with a new child-friendly and room-appropriate flooring. ‘The carpet was laid directly on top of an uneven and cracked concrete sub-floor. If you rolled a marble it would roll all over the place,’ says Katie.

After receiving a quote for £800 to re-screed the floor, the couple opted to give it a go themselves, following YouTube and TikTok tutorials.

‘It wasn’t that difficult and only took us about two hours,’ says Robin.

They replaced the carpet with 
a good quality vinyl flooring purchased on sale from the local Kettering Carpet Supply – always mindful of their budget.

‘Our main aim was to create something bright, fun and inviting, but also hard-wearing and easy to clean and maintain having a young family,’ says Katie.

‘Each project has taken time, as we generally complete them pay-cheque to pay-cheque. Plus, we do around 95% of the work ourselves fitting it around work and family life. We love putting our own stamp on 
our property.

‘My main advice for those who want to give it a go themselves is to focus on preparation. Don’t skip the small steps because you’ll regret it later,’ 
she says.

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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 Rutland, in the East Midlands, meeting 37-year-old Kat Sanders, who lives with her husband Joe.

Back in 2015, the pair bought a tired barn conversion from Joe’s grandparents for £350,000, just outside Oakham.

After completing a full refurbishment of the Victorian property, which housed cows before it was converted into a house in the late 1980s, Kat and Joe managed to double their property’s value.

Ten years after first moving from London, Kat and Joe are still relishing their idyllic countryside life.

Here’s what Kat had to say about their property journey…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m a mum of three and a part-time teacher and content creator. 

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

It’s in Rutland in the East Midlands, a beautiful area in the countryside surrounded by open fields. I love living here, I’m definitely made for country living! 

We’re both from the countryside, I’m from Worcestershire, and never felt London was home, so the move felt right and it was where we were supposed to be.

When did you move in?

We’ve lived here since May 2015.

How much does your property cost? And how much, roughly, was the cost of renovating?

We bought it for £350,000 and have spent upwards of £130,000 renovating. It’s now worth around £700,000.

How much was your deposit?

£90,000.

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

Approximately £1,700 per month.

How did you save up for your deposit?

We saved up for the deposit through the sale of a previous house, and we lived with family for a year when we got married to save some extra money.

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

We actually found the process really easy – we used a mortgage broker.

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

We recently switched to 4.5% for 25 years.

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

We initially rented in London, and then lived with family before buying.

What made you want to buy rather than rent?

I liked the security of buying, and being able to renovate the house was important to me.

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

The house was already in the family. It was lived in by my husband’s grandparents and was originally a barn on their farm. The amount of space we had was amazing. It’s got a big garden that looks onto fields, and a wood at the back. It was a lot to look after so when we bought it, it was a disbelief, and a bit of relief too.

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

A complete renovation has truly made it feel like home! I take a lot of inspiration from Instagram interior accounts.

My dad is also good at DIY so I watched him. It’s just ingrained in me to give it a go. You just go on YouTube and look it up if you’re stuck. I always think, what’s the worst thing that can happen?

I also buy a lot second-hand. I’m conscious of waste and our throw-away culture. I do get offered a lot of furniture, but I don’t take it unless I need it. Second-hand adds history and lasts for me.

When it comes to design choices, I don’t have a system – I just think: “Do I like it and is there a place for it to go?” These days I’m more adventurous with colour, moving from greys to neutrals and greens. I would describe my home as classic with a modern twist.

I guess you could call it modern country style. It’s not hugely traditional but has touches of a traditional English home. There’s even an original fireplace from when it was a barn – I’m not sure why a barn needed a fireplace – and we have a stable door too.

What’s your favourite room and why?

My favourite room is definitely the kitchen living space, we spend most of our time in this room and rarely use the living room.

It’s big enough to have the whole family in without feeling cramped, and it’s lovely and light due to the bifold doors and roof lantern. I love panelling – it adds character, and a lot of that was ripped out of the barn, which was a shame.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

I would love an extra bedroom upstairs and more storage, but otherwise, yes. 

Do you have plans to change the property?

I have a bathroom renovation that I’m planning. We have a tiny bath that needs to be replaced with a shower. I’ll also be reworking the garden this summer with an outdoor kitchen.

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

As an old property, there’s always something, from leaks to animals getting in.

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

If you have the option to save for a deposit by living with family, it’s a great way to reduce the mortgage.

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term? 

I’m always on the lookout for the next project, but this definitely feels like home. It would need to be a very special property to get us to move.

Shall we take a look around?

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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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An abandoned shopping centre that enjoyed its heyday in the 1990s but subsequently closed five years ago has been given a new lease of life.

The Wheatsheaf Centre in Rochdale, Greater Manchester shut its doors in the midst of the pandemic in 2020, but now, it’s set to reopen as a banqueting hall and events venue.

Originally built in 1991, the Wheatsheaf has five levels – the top two of which used to be a library – and originally housed more than 15 shops.

However, over the years fortunes waned for the shopping destination, and eventually, it lost key shops including Wilko, Ryman and New Look.

Now, the fifth and sixth floors where the library once stood will be revamped into two event halls set to accommodate weddings, conferences, and suchlike, as per reports in Manchester Evening News.

Across both floors, there’s expected to be capacity for 460 people, with 280 people spread across the fifth-floor venue and a further 180 on the sixth.

The property was originally listed for sale through WT Gunson, and was subsequently bought by DHA Corporates Ltd for £2,950,000.

‘We’re thrilled to share that we’re embarking on an exciting journey as the new owners of the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre in Greater Manchester,’ the company’s LinkedIn bio reads.

‘Currently undergoing extensive renovations, Wheatsheaf is poised to emerge as a premier retail destination. We are dedicated to creating an unparalleled shopping experience for our future visitors.

‘From stylish boutiques to dining options, Wheatsheaf will soon offer an enticing array of amenities to explore.’

‘We were there the day it opened’

Justin Whitelock, 51, is originally from Rochdale, and fondly remembers the day the Wheatsheaf opened.

‘A friend and I were passing it on the way to school on the day. We were led to believe there might be prizes for the first few ever to get in,’ he tells Metro.

‘We queued up for hours and were in several of the pictures of it opening. We missed (bunked off) school that day for the privilege but unfortunately never got anything for being one of the first customers through the doors.’

However, not everyone has always been enamoured with it. Before the Wheatsheaf closed its doors in 2020, countless visitors felt that it had largely left its glory days behind.

Over on TripAdvisor, @scottwP2467ZU described Rochdale as ‘a town on its knees,’ noting that the Wheatsheaf was ‘once a great shopping centre but no more. Cannot think of any reason you would want to visit this place.’

‘Sadly the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre looks to be a shadow of what it once was or could be,’ @allertonlad wrote in March 2019.

‘Set over two floors, upstairs is almost deserted. It’s quite a desirable shopping area in a prime position, but only currently has around 20 less than inspiring stores.’

And, once it had closed, @srpic wondered whether it would ever reopen, but added that ‘Rochdale has to do a lot to change its once great image and get back to the likes of Bury and Oldham.’ In their view, the ‘demise of the indoor market was its downfall.’

Exploring an ‘abandoned’ shopping centre

After its closure in 2020, the Wheatsheaf has been visited by countless urban explorers in search of eerily ‘abandoned’ buildings.

In 2022, it made it onto the @urbandoned__ YouTube page. Outside the front of the building, independent shops ‘CRAZE’ and ‘GW Menswear’ remained – but with their shutters firmly down.

Stepping inside, the shops were still plastered with closing down sale signs, and posters providing guidance on COVID remained, a stark reminder of the state of the world as lockdown loomed.

Inside one shop that was seemingly a clothes shop in a former life, countless clothes hangers were strewn across the floor and down the stairs, illuminated solely by the head torches worn by the explorers themselves.

Elsewhere, a paper calendar was stuck on March 2020, as though time itself had been paused.

‘This is very sad. I used to go [to] the library with my mum when I [was] small. It was the only place I truly loved. I’m 25 now and I won’t ever forget it,’ @nyasa5349 added in the comments section, full of nostalgia.

‘I used to live in Rochdale and it was always busy with people. This was my entire childhood coming to and from this place and when I got a place of my own I became a frequent visitor and shopper,’ @lcybluepearl2222 added.

@chloedarling9895 grew up spending their life shopping at the Wheatsheaf and added that ‘it fills my heart with such sadness to see it like this.’

‘I remember always going upstairs to the Argos ever since I was young,’ @lwvibes528 reminisced. ‘From queuing up as a kid ordering my Yu-Gi-Oh cards to buying my PlayStation and games.’

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