Fantasy house hunt

Victorian homes for sale in England – in pictures

From a flat in a converted London hospital to a coastal retreat in a popular holiday village

Highgate, north London

Close to Parliament Hill and Highgate Village, through an arched wrought-iron gate, is a Grade II-listed estate of Gothic revival-style homes. Holly Village is a village within a village, built by an aristocratic philanthropist in 1865 (with the help of her friend Charles Dickens). The site comprises 12 detached properties sitting in quiet gardens with benches on the edge of immaculate lawns. There is a three-bedroom detached house for sale with a cellar, a garden and a garage. Holly Village is within the Dartmouth Park conservation area. £3m. Winkworth, 020 8341 1988

Photograph: Winkworth

Lesbury, Northumberland

In a pretty spot, on the north side of the River Aln, midway between Alnwick and Alnmouth, is Bowls Cottage, currently a holiday let. This coastal retreat has been recently renovated keeping original Victorian features: inglenook fireplaces, traditional ledge and brace doors and exposed oak beams. It has three double bedrooms, a lawn to the front and a secluded courtyard at the back. The village has a post office, a shop and the Coach Inn. The stone cottage has permission to turn it into a permanent residence. £795,000. Finest Properties, 01434 622234

Photograph: Finest Properties

Woodford Green, London

In Sutherland House, a converted Grade II-listed hospital, there is a three-bedroom apartment covering two floors. The old site was a purpose-built asylum. It is now a gated development that sits within the 58-hectare (145-acre) Repton Park. Its overhaul has secured an energy performance certificate rating of B despite its age. The apartment has herringbone flooring and a metal spiral stair connecting the two levels. Double doors open into the south-facing reception room. Concierge services operate from the gates of Repton Park. £895,000. The Modern House, 020 3795 5920

Photograph: Toby Nima./The Modern House

Old Harlow, Essex

In the historic town centre is a school that closed in 1971 and has been converted into a characterful home celebrating old and new. Built in 1850, the Grade II-listed property has mahogany flooring throughout the ground floor, against light blue walls in the hallway. The main bedroom occupies the whole of the top floor framed by dark timber against white walls. Through the original arched doorways, the kitchen and dining area has a palette of pink and gold leaf. It’s under an hour by train from Harlow Mill railway station to London Liverpool Street. £1m. Inigo, 020 3687 3071

Photograph: Inigo

Windsor, Berkshire

Just south of the town centre is a street of terrace houses. In the centre is a four-bedroom family home over three floors. An attic conversion and a rear extension have been completed. This means what would have been a broken plan downstairs, with a middle dining room, has been opened up with the kitchen space spilling out on to the garden. There is plenty to do on the doorstep with Windsor horse show, Windsor dog show, the monthly farmers’ market, Windsor on Ice and the changing of the guard three times a week at the castle. £750,000. Savills, 01753 834 600

Photograph: Savills