Fantasy house hunt

Homes for sale in converted historic buildings in England – in pictures

From a former London printworks to a grand Georgian naval hospital

Alverstoke, Hampshire

Grade II-listed Royal Haslar was built between 1745 and 1762 to treat wounded and sick Royal Navy sailors. The palatial building was a nod to grand country houses and has a central garden with avenues of trees, benches and promenade walkways. Overlooking the Solent, the 25-hectare (62-acre) site is being transformed into a village that, when completed, will deliver 550 homes, plus shops, a pub/restaurant and leisure facilities. There are one- and two-bedroom homes for sale in Trinity House – the newest phase of the redevelopment. £220,000. Royal Haslar, 02392 002087

Photograph: Grant Frazer/Royal Haslar

Islington, London

Sitting on the edge of Wenlock Basin, a section of the Regent’s Canal, is the Royle Building, which started out life as the Royle Print Works. This five-storey building was converted in 1997 into apartments but has retained the original terrazzo flooring and matching stairs in the communal areas. On the fifth floor is a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony and study. A “sleeping platform” leans over the large open-plan living and kitchen area. The industrial-inspired space is lit by floor-to-ceiling glazing and high, whitewashed walls. £1.15m. The Modern House, 0203 795 5920

Photograph: The Modern House

Brigham, Cumbria

Once a coach house that welcomed weary travellers, now a welcoming family home, this six-bedroom house has been lovingly restored. Dating back to 1829, it retains much of its original character, with limestone walls and inglenook fireplaces. The second living room was the coachworks’ ironmongery and has French doors opening on to outdoor decking and a staircase up to the office. Below is a basement now used as a gym, wine cellar and utility room. Each bedroom is picked out in a different, rich colour and two have en suite bathrooms. £650,000. Finest Properties, 01434 622234

Photograph: Finest Properties

Clanfield, Oxfordshire

This is not one, but two Victorian churches, dating back to 1856 and 1910 on the edge of the Cotswolds. The two are connected by a light-filled entrance hall with a large roof lantern and double oak-framed doors that lead into the central courtyard garden. With arched stained-glass windows in the living room – which currently doubles as a library – and stone mullioned windows, it is embracing its roots, rather than hiding from them. It has three double bedrooms, and there is a mezzanine in the eaves. £850,000. Stowhill Estates, 0333 034 4144

Photograph: Stowhill Estates

Hackney Downs, London

Just to the north of London Fields is a converted apartment block that was once an urban Victorian school. On the first floor of this Grade II-listed building is a one-bedroom apartment with double-height ceilings and huge arched windows which have been stripped back to the original pine frames. To add to the vintage-effect, this level also has oak parquet flooring and the kitchen has concrete worktops. The bedroom is off this main living space whereas the bathroom is separated only by railings, tucked away on the mezzanine level. £625,000. The Modern House, 0203 795 5920

Photograph: Neil Perry/The Modern House