Here is a detached house, above, with a large garden in Central London. Well, OK, it could be with a bit of work and imagination. St John’s church hall near Tower Bridge is for sale, subject of course to planning permission to build such a home. The Victorian building is currently owned by the architect who drew up the plans to expand by adding a contemporary first floor. Provided the planners like the idea, the property will carry a price tag of £1 million. If not, it’ s back to the drawing board. Cityscope: 020-7830 9776 or www.cityscope.co.uk
In the cut-throat world of property sales, there are incentives and there is Rosie the cow. While buyers with tough negotiating skills might push for the curtains to be included in a sale, those purchasing Conygarth Farm in Chapmanslade, Wiltshire, get a fine Highland specimen with fabulous horns thrown in for your £1.2 million. Rosie has been on the farm for at least 18 years and the executors in charge of the sale do not wish to unsettle her. The house — a five-bedroom former farmhouse — is not bad either. Cluttons, Bath: 01225 469511.
On the subject of all things bovine, there is a Grade II listed 15th-century cottage near Uckfield, East Sussex, for sale that is currently being used as the setting for a film about the BSE crisis, interwoven with Greek mythology and Minotaurs (I’m not making this up). The name of the property? Bull Cottage, of course. Offers over £600,000 through Humberts on 01273 478828 or www.humberts.co.uk.
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Once almost a national sport, DIY is losing supporters in favour of calling in the experts. A recent survey by Sadolin, the woodcare company, revealed that 41 per cent of us would rather reach for the phone than a paint brush. Jolly sensible,
I reckon. Yet if you really insist on tackling the job yourself, then go to www.sadolin.co.uk and download a podcast explaining all. That way you get a friendly expert on hand who doesn’t ask for milk and five sugars.
susan.emmett@thetimes.co.uk