Centre stage
Holly Kirkwood picks the finest properties in the villages of Northamptonshire
East Haddon, £875,000
Four-bedroom The Old Farmhouse, located between the popular villages of East Haddon and Church Brampton, makes an ideal family base. All four reception rooms offer views of the rolling countryside, the former dairy has been converted to an open-plan family/ play room incorporating the large dining room and the vast, triple-aspect kitchen has ample space for a breakfast table. The house comes with an acre of land, is just eight miles from Northampton and the primary school at East Haddon is outstanding. Carter Jonas (01604 321343)
Syresham, £1.5 million
Just four miles from Brackley, seven-bedroom The Gate House was built in the Arts-and-crafts style in the early 1920s. The main property has very versatile accommodation, which can be configured in a number of ways, and includes two self-contained flats (plus further accommodation in The East Lodge). The grounds include a pretty walled garden plus a kitchen garden and the location offers good connections to both the M40 and M1. Savills (01295 228000)
Bradden, £1.6 million
A substantial Victorian seven-bedroom house, Bradden Lodge is just four miles west of Towcester. Originally dating back to the 17th century, the property features lots of period interest and the ample accommodation is in good repair; the breakfast kitchen and the conservatory are both new additions. With a peaceful edge-of-village setting, the grounds feature a pretty walled garden and a swimming pool. Jackson Stops & Staff (01604 632991)
Blakesley, £1 million
Charming Grade Ii-listed, 17th-century Barton House has an impressive seven bedrooms and six reception rooms, plus lots of period features, including a cellar. The location couldn’t be better: the local primary is excellent and the house lies within the catchment for the outstanding Sponne School. It’s 10 miles from Northampton, where trains go to London Euston in under an hour. Michael Graham (01327 350022)
Deanshanger, £1.8 million
Set back from the road, along a tree-lined drive, 18th-century Dagnall Farm lies on the edge of the historic village of Deanshanger. The spacious accommodation, with seven bedrooms, is crammed with period charm, from French windows to large, roaring fireplaces and wood burners in smaller rooms, as well as exposed beams and vaulted ceilings. Outside is an orchard, a paddock, stables, outbuildings and a tennis court. The property is located just eight miles from Milton Keynes, which has a fast service to Euston in 35 minutes. Michael Graham (01908 307300)