Which house would you buy with £1m?

Updated
Which house would you buy with £1m?
Which house would you buy with £1m?
The front door of the Torquay house
The front door of the Torquay house

It's not that long since a million-pound property was a real rarity. But with house prices rocketing, they're now practically, er, two a penny.

The number of £1 million-plus property sales doubled between 2011 and 2016, with nearly half, as you'd expect, in London. However, more and more houses outside the capital are breaking the £1 million barrier - and in Virgina Water, it doesn't even buy the average home.

The skewed nature of the UK property market means that your million pounds will get you something very different, depending on where you're hoping to live.

From tiny flats to grand mansions, we look at what exactly £1 million will get you around the country.


London SW8

One of the communal areas, complete with slide
One of the communal areas, complete with slide


Your million will only get you a 523-square-foot studio in this development in Vauxhall - but its undeniably larger-than-life. Aykon London One has been kitted out through a partnership with Versace Home - 'the global symbol of opulence', as the developers say. And while the flat may be small, the communal areas include a pool and gym, a roof garden, a residents' lounge and a children's play area. Wex & Co are handling the sale.

Penarth, Glamorgan

The modern house in Penarth
The modern house in Penarth


Move to Penarth, and you'll get nine times as much space for your million with this five-bedroom modern home - and an indoor swimming pool you won't have to share. It's recently had a full makeover, and now boasts a home automation system controlling CCTV, alarm, heating, lights and integrated sound system, all set in a large garden with acoustic fencing. There are three reception rooms, an office and a kitchen/diner 41 feet long. Contact Sellmyhome for more information.

See also: Stunning Scottish mansion for just £200k - but there's a catch

See also: The hidden costs of buying a house

Ringland, Norwich

The former school
The former school


You'll get space and oodles of character in this Grade II listed school conversion in Norfolk, which has six bedrooms, three receptions and a large kitchen. The living room and dining room both have vaulted ceilings, exposed brickwork and ornate windows, and other features include pamment and wooden floors. The house sits in 0.6 acres and has lovely views of the surrounding countryside. It's for sale through agents Sowerbys.

Torquay, Devon

The elegant house
The elegant house


This place undeniably has the look of a million-pound house, with its nineteenth-century classical architecture and grand entrance. There are six bedrooms and four reception rooms, including an orangery and a snooker room. The elegant staircase is perfect for making a grand entrance, and a lovely terrace has far-reaching views. Meanwhile, your housekeeper gets their own apartment, and there's another two-bedroom flat as well. It's on the books of agent Absolute Sales & Lettings.

Grays, Essex

The timber-framed farmhouse
The timber-framed farmhouse


When you think 'million-pound Essex home', this four-bedroom former farmhouse probably isn't what springs to mind. Partly timber-framed, part stone, it's Grade II listed and full of charm, with exposed beams, lovely fireplaces, shutters and lovely wood floors. Outside, there's a derelict cottage and a couple of barns in the 1.25-acre grounds, along with formal gardens and a pond big enough for a spot of rowing. It's for sale with Chandler and Martin.


East Grinstead, West Sussex

The front of the huge house
The front of the huge house


This vast mansion is currently divided into a dozen flatlets, with three shower rooms, a bathroom and six WCs between them. Close to the town centre and the station, it's just crying out for conversion into half a dozen luxury flats. Keep one for yourself - design it right and you'd have a pretty tower room, a veranda and a decent garden. It's for sale through agent Cubitt & West.


Bayswater, London W2

The living room
The living room


This flat is in an incredibly swish, stucco-fronted terrace, with a 24-hour concierge providing housekeeping, personal shopping and catering. There's even a top-hatted doorman. The flat itself isn't huge, at 624 square feet, but is done up to the nines, with Spanish and Italian tiled marble bathrooms, lutron lighting, state of the art prewired audiovisual system. If you want parking, though, it'll cost you another £150,000 - and the service charge is £9,500 per year. It's on the market with Hamptons International.

Advertisement