New homes in London's Zone 1 on a Zone 2 budget
Our exclusive research shows a "price wall" formed by the Northern line, with property values to the east less than half those in the west. We reveal the emerging lower-value districts in Zone 1 for buyers on a Zone 2 budget.
Embassy exodus returns acres of central London to its residents
As the embassies exit Mayfair and Marylebone, their former bases will free up stunning family homes. While the move of many embassies to Nine Elms at Vauxhall is creating a new residential quarter including thousands of new apartments.
Oxford spotlight
The small city of Oxford is famous for its university and honeyed stone architecture, but its huge range of property - from affordable new homes to luxurious Victorian houses - and one hour commute to London, are big attractions to home buyers.
Brighton spotlight
The East Sussex city of Brighton and Hove offers its residents the best of both worlds: a relaxed life at one end of the line within an hour's commute of London, and a good mix of Regency terrace houses, seafront apartments and family homes.
Clerkenwell Design Week 2013
Discover one of London's most creative neighbourhoods at this year's Clerkenwell Design Week. This three-day event showcases the hottest trends in design, architecture and cutting-edge furniture.
Find a rated tradesman
Want to add value to your property, make your house a home, or sell your place fast? With 1,000s of tradesmen nationwide, rated and recommended by previous customers, this is the smart way to find a reputable tradesman.
Buy of the week: Putney Hill, SW15
This glossy new apartment just off Putney Hill has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a bright open-plan reception space with floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular skyline views.
Out of town: Wigginton, Oxfordshire
This three-bedroom Grade II-listed thatch in the pretty village of Wigginton, near Banbury, is a tempting package of beams, wood burners and cottage gardens.
Life-changer: Tiverton, Devon
A five-bedroom house set in a valley at Cheriton Fitzpaine, Tiverton, surrounded by farmland and sweeping gardens, with B&B potential and a garage block ripe for conversion.
East Grinstead spotlight
East Grinstead in West Sussex is 30 miles south of the capital in the High Weald. The town's exclusive gated estates attract celebrity home buyers such as Tom Cruise, while London families are drawn to the area's good mix of period homes and modern flats.-
Buy of the week: Putney Hill, SW15
This glossy new apartment just off Putney Hill has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a bright open-plan reception space with floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular skyline views. -
Out of town: Wigginton, Oxfordshire
This three-bedroom Grade II-listed thatch in the pretty village of Wigginton, near Banbury, is a tempting package of beams, wood burners and cottage gardens. -
Life-changer: Tiverton, Devon
A five-bedroom house set in a valley at Cheriton Fitzpaine, Tiverton, surrounded by farmland and sweeping gardens, with B&B potential and a garage block ripe for conversion.
Property search
Add a touch of nostalgia
Give your garden a romantic Victorian feel with white, cream and intricate metal detailing
© Primrose LondonOutdoor clock
© CrocusClassic bird box
© WoolworthsBirdcage lantern
© The Urban Garden CentrePortable planter
© R K AllistonTraditional seed packets
© CrocusLarge Tunisian urn
Outdoor clock
Add something practical and beautiful to the garden.
Paddington clock (£27.95) Primrose London.
Classic bird box
The more detailed the design, the better. Simply nail it to a tree or fence and wait for the birds to set up home.
Gothic nesting box (£39) .
Birdcage lantern
Hang one from a tree or place a few around your outdoor dining area for a pretty Victorian touch.
Cream wire tea-light lantern (£2.99) .
Portable planter
Change the look of your garden just by carrying this planter to a new spot.
Mitford planter (£27) The Urban Garden Centre.
Get sowing
Grow your own traditional English garden veg, such as beans and carrots.
Traditional seed packets (£2.75) .
© IPC
Statement pot
On its own it is a fab focal point, or plant with cascading geraniums for a colourful display.
Large Tunisian urn (H77cm by W47cm at widest point; £59.99) .
For more classic sculptural pieces to create a Victorian-style garden, go to www.idealhomemagazine.co.uk/gardenbuys
First published by Ideal Home magazine May 2007, feature by Jennifer Newton,
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