Seven houses with fabulous kitchens
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home - and there's no doubt that it's one of the most important factors when looking to move.
According to a survey from MayfairGranite.co.uk last year, the most desirable features are a good size, with natural light and plenty of storage - the biggest turn-offs are dirt and dated cabinets.
It's easy to get discouraged when the perfect house turns out to have a grimy, gloomy cooking space - but a little perseverance will reveal that there's plenty of truly stunning kitchens out there.
From a Great British Bake Off finalist's home to a cosy farmhouse, we look at seven of the loveliest kitchens for sale right now.
Seven stunning houses where stars used to live
Beckenham, south London
This double-fronted Victorian house is the property of Great British Bake-Off finalist Jane Beedle, who says she's ready to downsize now the children have left home. With six bedrooms, you can see why. There are two lovely reception rooms, and a stunning kitchen, where Jane came up with most of her recipes. It's on the market for £1,395,000 through Foxtons.
Knutsford, Cheshire
Newly-renovated, this enormous five-bed barn conversion comes with everything from a separate three-bedroom bungalow in the gardens to a swimming pool, jacuzzi and salon. But the huge kitchen is a particular feature, boasting a long, serpentine island snaking around. Kitted out in dark, glossy wood and cream units, it leads on to a dining area and day room. The house costs £5.95 million from agent Benson Bunch.
Norton Malreward, near Bristol
The amazing kitchen is just one of the many stunning features of this five-bedroom barn conversion. The double-height space hosts a bespoke Thomas and Thomas kitchen with units in a horseshoe-shaped configuration with built in appliances and granite work tops. There are double-height glass doors onto the garden, exposed stonework and a glass walkway spanning the space. You'll want to keep it looking its best, so there's a large larder and utility room to tidy everything away. Tythe Barn costs £1.5 million through agent Davies & Way.
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Cobham, Kent
It's not the prettiest kitchen in the world, but it's certainly functional - and if you're wealthy enough to rent this eight-bedroom house you probably won't be doing the cooking yourself. It includes chef-grade appliances including a range oven, heated drawers, freezers, fridge, double utility dinks, a walk-in larder fridge and industrial extractor fan. The rest of the 14,000-square foot house is designed for luxury, with a 43-foot sitting room and grand, mahogany-lined study. The house is available to rent through agent Pillars for £15,750 a month.
Edgcott, Buckinghamshire
The most striking feature of this six-bedroom barn conversion is the lovely beamed ceiling, and the twisty timber rising from the breakfast bar. Integrated Neff appliances include a double oven, five-ring gas hob and dishwasher, and there's a Calor gas Aga too. It looks out over the lovely gardens that form part of the house's four acres. There are two ponds, a newly-surfaced all-weather tennis court and a heated swimming pool, as well as several outbuildings. The house costs £1,350,000 through agent Morgan & Associates.
Clerkenwell, London
The outside of this Grade II listed Georgian house gives no clues to the space within. The 53-foot kitchen, housed in a new extension, has a glass panel ceiling which can be frosted at the touch of a smartphone button and an incredible cantilevered staircase leading up to a family and TV room. The bespoke Boffi kitchen has Gaggenau cooking appliances and opens onto a courtyard with a cherry tree. There are six bedrooms and a basement swimming pool. But all this doesn't come cheap; it's a touch under £8 million through agent Hamptons International.
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Nutley, East Sussex
Believed to be a former 18th century threshing barn, this five-bedroom home has a separate one-bedroom annexe. The cosy kitchen is as traditional as can be, with a stone flagged floor, exposed stone walls, a wood burning stove and plenty of beams. There are lovely views towards the neighbouring Ashdown Forest, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The house costs £1,675,000 through agent Robert Leech.
