Snooping around: Rural, urban or renovation

Around Town: Edinburgh. This flat in Heriot Row is in one of the finest streets in the New Town and has its own courtyard garden and a cellar. But it’s a shame that the main rooms are on the lower-ground floor. Offers over £245,000. Knight Frank, 0131-222 9600 Photograph: Knight Frank In the Country: Devon. This three-bed cottage in Tedburn St Mary, near Exeter, is a conversion of a Methodist chapel. It has an open-plan living area with a 20ft beamed and vaulted ceiling and solid wood floor. However, the garden is a diminutive plot at the end of a shared driveway, which was intended as the off-street parking space. On sale for £269,950. Seddons, 01363 776262 Photograph: Seddons Wreck of the Week: Northumberland. This three-bedroom mid-terrace in Alnwick is in need of a tender touch. On the market for £125,000, it would need another £50,000-plus to spruce up the facade and renew elderly fittings. It’s down a quiet lane, a walk from the centre of this glorious town and its castle, and close to the Northumbrian coast. Maybe not one for keen gardeners: a narrow courtyard serves as the garden. George F White, 01665 603581. Photograph: George F White Another wreck: Norfolk. If you fancy something larger, the White House, Burnham Market, is an astonishing opportunity to buy an extensive property at a relatively low price – £750,000 – in an area where big houses normally go for more than £1m. The former Georgian farmhouse comes with three brick and flint cottages, a hard tennis court and a walled garden. The property needs gutting - you could easily spend another £750,000 - and the cottages cannot be used for holiday lets, but could be sold as holiday cottages. It is in the midst of rolling Norfolk countryside (forget Noel Coward – there are hills, just small ones), near one of the most picturesque villages in the county. Sowerbys, 01328 730340 Photograph: Sowerbys Dream home: Isle of Wight. This Victorian grade I listed fort was built to counter possible attack from across the channel but has now been converted into 18 luxury houses priced from £375,000 to £1m. All benefit from the use of a communal garden on the top of the fort, with views across countryside to the Solent. The houses will have a very long leasehold - expected to be 999 years - and an annual management charge of about £3,000. Marvins, 01983 533633 Photograph: Marvins Overseas: Switzerland. The resort of Veysonnaz is in the heart of the Valais at a height of 1350m, surrounded by 412km of piste and 100 ski lifts. These four-bedroom bespoke chalets have easy access to the village and resort facilities, with a ski bus just a short walk away. Although brand new, they are traditional in design, and luxurious and cosy with underfloor heating, double glazing and woodburners. On sale for £757,000. Savills Alpine Homes, 020 7016 3740 Photograph: Savills Alpine Homes