Ideal homes: Rightmove's most-viewed properties are truly grand designs
Whether you’re actually thinking of moving or you just enjoy a good nosy around other people's property, checking out homes for sale has become our new favourite hobby.
But it turns out lockdown has had us all lusting after luxury pads we could only afford in our dreams.
Property website Rightmove has revealed its list of the five most-viewed properties so far this year and all come with multi-million pound price tags.
While the average cost of a home in Britain has risen to a record £266,000 in the year to June, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, prospective browsers of the most popular homes will need to fork out quite a bit more for their dream pad.
None of the most viewed-homes are located in city centres and unsurprisingly, all come with ample space both indoors and out, as wishful house hunters snoop on spacious properties many can only dream of owning - unless your pockets are very deep indeed.
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Featured properties range from a mega mansion in Essex to a waterfront home with panoramic views of the lakes.
Tim Bannister, director of property data at Rightmove, said: "We've seen the busiest ever first half of a year in 2021, and while much has changed in the housing market, the nation's obsession with property and searching for their dream home has stayed the same.
"From vast open views over Lake Windermere, to an Essex mansion complete with private gym and Equestrian Centre, it's clear the luxury end of the market is still piquing the nation's interest."
Spanning the Lake District, Cornwall, Essex, Surrey and Devon, the five most viewed homes will set you back anything between £2.4 million and £30 million. We can dream...
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But the property that has really caught our eye, delivering all the house goals, is a five-bedroom home with epic views across a Cornish creek.
Located at Restronguet Point, in Feock, near Truro in an exclusive road dubbed Cornwall's ultimate "millionaire's row", the third most-viewed property on Rightmove is a family home in Cornwall.
Perfect for buyers looking for a coastal escape the impressive house, on sale for £2,500,000, comes with a detached double garage and workshop, a gym and a hot tub.
With neutral yet swish interiors, the property maintains an air of tranquility, enabling the incredible waterfront views to take centre stage.
Other most viewed properties
1. Five-bedroom waterfront property, Lake Windermere, £2.4m
The most frequently viewed on Rightmove's website so far this year is a five-bedroom home in the heart of the Lake District, on sale for £2.4million.
This picturesque pad is elegant and spacious, with all the main living spaces taking advantage of the pinch-yourself panoramic views across Lake Windermere.
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And for extra bragging rights, it even comes with its own jetty and slipway, so you can mess about in boats.
The gorgeous gardens also provide a private escape with lake views, romantic outside lighting, and an impressive range of tropical foliage.
2. Five-bedroom mansion, Essex, £15m
The second most popular home for online Rightmove browsers is a five-bedroom mansion in Chigwell, Essex, set on 52 acres of private land.
The property comes complete with American barn-style stables, a cinema room and equestrian centre with an Olympic-sized riding area.
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Combining an ultra-modern interior with a more traditional exterior, this sprawling pad has an underground car port for up to 10 cars, and comes with a car lift and turn-table.
There's also a swimming pool, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, cinema and steam room, ensuring you never have to leave the grounds for entertainment.
3. Five-bedroom mansion, Cornwall, £2.5m
This year's third most viewed property on Rightmove's website is a five-bedroom family home in Cornwall.
It is perfect for buyers looking for a coastal escape and has panoramic views over Restronguet Creek.
With around 4,500sq.ft. of space, this is the first time this incredible property has been on the market.
4. Ten-bedroom mansion, Surrey, £30m
The fourth most-viewed home is also the most expensive, with an eye-watering price tag in excess of £30million.
This ten-bedroom mansion with around 26,134 sq. ft. of space is located in Chiddingfold, Godalming, and sits in over thirty acres of land.
"Straight out of the set of James Bond movie", the mansion has an indoor swimming pool, together with a gym, spa and treatment room.
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As well as the main house, there’s also a separate flat and two self-contained cottages for the ultimate in luxury living.
The double height party room wouldn’t look out of place in a scene from 'Bridgerton', while other stand-out features include a bowling alley and home cinema.
5. Ten-bedroom mansion, Devon, £5.95m
An exquisite 10-bedroom ten-bedroom home called 'The Chanters House' in Ottery St Mary, Devon, is the fifth most popular property for online Rightmove browsers.
With a guide price of £5.95million, the property dates back to the fourteenth century and its interior design is reminiscent of the popular 'Downton Abbey'.
Meticulously designed over three floors, the property is perfect for modern living, but still retains its historical charm.
An impressive reception hall with solid oak flooring and a substantial period fireplace leads to the principal reception rooms, namely the Cromwell Fairfax Room, where it is believed Civil War was declared in the seventeenth century.
The focal point of this grand home is 'The Great Library', which is home to around 22,000 books, and is the biggest library west of Salisbury.
