From a Highland retreat with a central tower in Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire, to a terraced house in Putney with an extension overlooking the Thames, eight of the besthouses with striking contemporary extensions.
Ruvigny Gardens, Putney, London SW15. A terraced house with a contemporary rear extension that has two-storey glazed windows with views of the Thames and Bishop's Park beyond. The house has a split-level, open-plan living space with floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors leading to the garden, which has adecked terrace near the river.4 beds, 2 baths, cellar roof terraces. £2.995m Savills 020-8780 9900.
Attinlea, Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire. This Highland retreat is situated in the Cairngorms National Park and is formed of two restored crofts that have been joined together by a central tower that has been modelled on a traditional pele tower. The house has barrel-vaulted ceilings, a turreted staircase, underfloor heating and stone fireplaces. 5 beds, 5 baths, 2 receps, galley kitchen, library, attic, 23 acres. £650,000+ Strutt & Parker 01463-719171.
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Eastwood, Herstmonceux, East Sussex. A Victorian farmhouse converted into a baroque mansion by the architect Robert Adam. It has a double-height reception hall with a galleried landing. 8 beds, 5 baths, 5 receps, outdoor heated pool, tennis court, greenhouse, lake, orchard, parkland, 32 acres. £2.75m Savills 01892-507000.
Mirldown House, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire. A house that retains its traditional frontage and has a contemporary rear extension with floor-to-ceiling windows and wood cladding on the upper level. 5 beds, 3 baths, 3 receps, breakfast kitchen, tennis court, Grade II-listed kiln, 2.7 acres. £2.25m Strutt & Parker 01635-521707.
Fairlight, Hastings, East Sussex. A house built in 1967 that has been extended to a versatile design by architect Colin Pennington. It now includes a rear extension with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that offer uninterrupted views of the sea. 5 beds, 2 baths, recep, open-plan kitchen, gardens. £695,000 The Modern House 020-3795 5920.
The Field House, near Filkins, Oxfordshire. A village house with a modern, open-plan kitchen that has vaulted oak-beamed ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors leading onto the gardens. 5 beds, 3 baths, 2 receps, 1-bed annexe, 0.5 acres. £1.5m Knight Frank 01865-790077.
The Old Farm, Stone Street, Sevenoaks, Kent. What was once a collection of period farm buildings has been converted using a glazed hallway to connect the main house to a Grade II-listed, three-bed cottage. The renovated property has vaulted, beamed ceilings and open fireplaces with contemporary wood-burning stoves. 5 beds, 3 baths, 5 receps, study, unconverted period outbuildings, gardens, 0.5 acres. £1.65m Jackson-Stops 01732-740600.
Woodlands Lodge, Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan. The 1840s frontage of this house hides a contemporary extension to the rear. A wall of glass connects the period building to the new rear extension, which has a curved exterior and bifold doors in the kitchen leading onto the gardens. 4 beds, 2 baths, 2 receps, dining kitchen, parking. £650,000 Watts & Morgan 01446-773500.
