These 10 breathtaking properties were the biggest hit with house-hunters over the past 12 months
Upping sticks has been a hot topic for many of us in 2021 and there have been no end of incredible homes on the market to admire.
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Whether relocating has been at the forefront of your mind after these challenging two years or you've been searching for a dose of escapism, scrolling through house listings is one of the nation's favourite pastimes.
"This year in property has really been like no other. We've seen people imagining the life that could be in the countryside, looking at what's on offer by the coast, and more recently, reigniting their curiosity about the city," says Rightmove's Property Expert Tim Bannister.
From a pop star’s lavish house in the country to seaside retreats and lavish mega-mansions, these spectacular houses were Rightmove's most viewed properties of 2021...
10. Waterside haven, Poole: £5,500,000
We all dream of a room with a view, but this is a house with a view in every room.
Overlooking the harbour in Poole and within easy reach of the beach, Bluff House, which is something of a contemporary local landmark, makes the most of its dazzling location.
With no end of floor-to-ceiling windows, the ocean is never far from sight plus there's a large lawned garden overlooking the water and numerous terraces and balconies where you can drink in the vistas with your tipple of choice.
The 6,500-square-foot home includes a large indoor swimming pool, plus a gym, four bedrooms, four bathrooms and an array of reception rooms.
An expansive office will make working from home a pleasure, and there’s even a bar in the garden for those all-important after-work drinks.
Bluff House is on the market for £5,500,000 with Luxury & Prestige via Rightmove.
9. Luxury apartment, London: £26,500,000
It's hard to fathom the property prices in London, but this pied-à-terre is squarely aimed at super-rich buyers looking for a new investment or city pad in the capital.
Based in the exclusive London neighbourhood of Knightsbridge, the house includes a share of the freehold and the features and finishes are of the finest quality and cost.
Housed in a Grade II-listed red-brick townhouse, the residence spans three beautiful floors and includes five bedrooms and five bathrooms.
From the grand reception room to the L-shaped staircase and designer marble kitchen, it's jam-packed with the most desirable luxury amenities.
On the market with Rokstone via Rightmove, this Knightsbridge triplex could be yours for a mere £26,500,000.
8. Countryside mansion, Cheshire: £7,500,000
This vast estate in the town of Ollerton in Cheshire includes an impressive 9,500-square-foot Georgian-style mansion, plus 25 acres of manicured parklands.
Inside, the house is as luxurious as you might expect – though more modern than its exterior suggests – with an indoor spa, a steam room, swimming pool, five bathrooms and five main bedrooms, including four large master suites, one of which comes with its own lift.
However, the pièce de résistance is without doubt the home's exquisite grounds, which include a lake, fountains, a pergola, a tennis court and a tree-lined driveway. The garden parties here must be immense!
Listed for £7,500,000, this countryside mansion is on the market with Stuart Rushton & Co via Rightmove.
7. Highgate house, London: POA
A modern architectural gem in the heart of North London, this huge property is set within two scenic acres on one of the city's most sought-after roads.
There's a glass lift to each of the home's three floors and among the 10 bedrooms are five luxurious suites. The lower ground floor is given over to leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, billiard room, wine cellar, steam room and sauna.
The sprawling estate even comes with a self-contained staff lodge, but the most impressive part of the house has to be the top-floor office, which offers breathtaking views of Hampstead Heath, plus access to an extensive roof terrace.
Listed with Sotheby's International Realty via Rightmove, the price of this modern marvel is available on application.
6. England’s most remote house, Cumbria: £1,500,000
Purportedly one of the most remote properties in England, Skiddaw House is a little different from the luxurious homes in the rest of our round-up. However, its location, which is about as far away from the nearest neighbour as it’s possible to be in England, will certainly appeal to some.
Originally built as a shooting lodge in 1829, the property is situated in the lonely Back o'Skidda in the Skiddaw Forest, in the north of the Lake District. In recent years, the house, which can only be reached by foot or 4x4, has been used as a hostel.
Whether you’re looking to live somewhere far from the madding crowd or set up your own tourism business for nature-lovers, this property offers an intriguing investment prospect.
England's most remote house can be yours for £1,500,000 through Mitchells Land & Property via Rightmove.
5. 14th-century house, Devon: £5,950,000
Situated in Ottery St Mary's, The Chanters House is a magnificent stately home that's undergone an extensive 10-year restoration. Combining period charm with modern comforts, the mansion encompasses a sizeable 10 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms.
Featuring architectural elements dating from as early as the 14th century, it’s believed the English Civil War was declared in the Cromwell Fairfax Room.
Meanwhile, bibliophiles will be beside themselves in the home's impressive library, which contains around 22,000 books.
Meanwhile, the grounds offer no end of entertaining space, including an outdoor kitchen, tennis courts, walled gardens and indoor swimming pool located in an outbuilding.
This incredible period estate is on the market with Pilkington Estates via Rightmove for £5,950,000.
4. Robbie William’s mansion, Wiltshire: £6,750,000
For some, browsing property listings is about seeing how the other half live, and this grand home in the village of Compton Bassett certainly shows what the spoils of a pop career can get you, since this estate is owned by Robbie Williams and his wife, Ayda.
With seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, some bold bursts of colour and a few tongue-in-cheek touches, the breathtaking house has a cooler feel than most homes of its era.
There are plenty of luxe amenities too, including a grass football pitch, tennis court and helicopter hangar in the grounds, plus a spa, steam room, sauna and huge heated swimming pool in the leisure complex.
There are also two self-contained apartments for housing staff, as well as a detached cottage where you can host VIP guests in style.
Listed with Knight Frank via Rightmove, you can snap up a piece of celebrity real estate for £6,750,000.
3. Modern manor house, Manchester: £4,750,000
Located within the town of Stockport in Greater Manchester, this jaw-dropping new-build house with its landscaped gardens and impeccably modern interior was made for entertaining.
The mansion offers six bedrooms and six bathrooms across 9,792 square feet of living space. Highlights include the state-of-the-art cinema room, a wine room, dual dressing rooms, and a spa complete with a Jacuzzi, gym, swimming pool and sauna.
From gold-hued uplighting to marble fixtures, the home has been decked out with the finest finishes, ideally suited for a buyer with a taste for the finer things in life. The opulence extends outside to the exquisitely landscaped gardens too, which offer the ultimate in kerb appeal.
This impressive mansion is listed for £4,750,000 with Jackson-Stops via Rightmove.
2. Coastal paradise, Cornwall: £2,500,000
For house-hunters yearning for the sea, it doesn't get much better than this waterfront family home near Truro.
Entry to the private property is through electric gates, while the split-level terrace includes a hot tub, a shower room and steps down to the jetty where you can moor your own boat.
Stretching 4,500 square feet, the house itself features five bedrooms and three bathrooms, along with plenty of cosy living spaces. We can just imagine curling up in front of that stylish hearth in the cold, winter months.
Built 20 years ago, the house is up for sale for the first time ever, and with these spectacular views across Restronguet Creek, we can't imagine it'll be hanging around the market for much longer!
You can pick up your own coastal paradise for £2,500,000 through Lillicrap Chilcott via Rightmove.
1. Mega-mansion, Essex: £15,000,0000
Now there are mansions and then there are mansions. This remarkable estate in Chigwell, Essex, stands in a whopping 52 acres of private land and has every kind of amenity imaginable. You'd be hard-pressed to find a reason to leave the house!
The home's opulent accommodation includes six bathrooms and five bathrooms, each with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom, along with an array of beautiful reception rooms.
The ultimate party pad, the lower ground floor features a dance floor, bar, cinema and games room. And when you need to relax and unwind after dancing the night away, there's also a spa complex with a sauna, steam room, swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
Elsewhere, there's an enormous 10-car garage complete with a car lift and turntable – now that's what we call a supercar showroom fit for a car-lover! If that weren't enough, the grounds offer state-of-the-art equestrian facilities, including an Olympic-sized riding arena and paddocks.
This luxury estate is on the market with Presidential Estates via Rightmove for £15,000,000.
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All images: Rightmove