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.
Fast new commuter routes are changing London's property map
Regeneration throughout London continues to change the property map, with the orbital train network and recent Tube line extensions creating faster commuter routes with good-value homes, including Deptford, Bromley and Woolwich.
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.
Canterbury spotlight
The compact city of Canterbury sits 60 miles south-east of London in Kent. In recent years its property market has been boosted by a high-speed rail service into St Pancras, which cuts the journey time to the capital to less than an hour.
Chelsea Flower Show preview 2013
This year the RHS Chelsea Flower Show promises to be suitably fabulous as it celebrates its centenary year with stunning gardens, including the Forget-me-Not Garden by B&Q and Prince Harry's charity.
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: Stoke Newington, N16
This modern home of almost 1,000sq ft is close to Stoke Newington's high street. A 27ft reception room and two large bedrooms give the flat a spacious feel.
Out of town: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
The beauty spot of Leighterton, with its poppy fields, ivy-covered churches and popular local gastro pub, is home to this four-bedroom house with stone-walled gardens.
Life-changer: Dolwyddelan, Conwy
Have a station all to yourself by buying the Old Station Master's house at Roman Bridge, where trains will stop at your door on request. You also get three bedrooms and 10 acres of grounds.
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.-
Buy of the week: Stoke Newington, N16
This modern home of almost 1,000sq ft is close to Stoke Newington's high street. A 27ft reception room and two large bedrooms give the flat a spacious feel. -
Out of town: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
The beauty spot of Leighterton, with its poppy fields, ivy-covered churches and popular local gastro pub, is home to this four-bedroom house with stone-walled gardens. -
Life-changer: Dolwyddelan, Conwy
Have a station all to yourself by buying the Old Station Master's house at Roman Bridge, where trains will stop at your door on request. You also get three bedrooms and 10 acres of grounds.
Property search
Design trends: gadgets of the year
By Katie Law
1. The Vitamix Aspire
Surely the blender of the year, the Vitamix Aspire performs an impressive repertoire of 50 kitchen tasks, including making ice cream in 30 seconds and hot soup in five minutes (you don't even have to peel the veg first). Its 1200w motor will also crush ice cubes, grind coffee beans, knead dough and make pefect pesto. Find it at Lakeland for £399.99. Visit lakeland.co.uk
Surely the blender of the year, the Vitamix Aspire performs an impressive repertoire of 50 kitchen tasks, including making ice cream in 30 seconds and hot soup in five minutes (you don't even have to peel the veg first). Its 1200w motor will also crush ice cubes, grind coffee beans, knead dough and make pefect pesto. Find it at Lakeland for £399.99. Visit lakeland.co.uk
2. The Kobold VC100
This hand-held cleaner is so sleek you'll be proud to have it on show. The Kobold VC100 is light (750gms), with strong suction and a battery that lasts 20 minutes. It is on offer at £129 (normally £149) until December 20 at direct.co.uk or by calling 0844 800 0123. And don't miss the January launch of the Kobold 140 cleaner that not only sweeps your carpets but can dry clean them and wash floors and windows, too.
This hand-held cleaner is so sleek you'll be proud to have it on show. The Kobold VC100 is light (750gms), with strong suction and a battery that lasts 20 minutes. It is on offer at £129 (normally £149) until December 20 at direct.co.uk or by calling 0844 800 0123. And don't miss the January launch of the Kobold 140 cleaner that not only sweeps your carpets but can dry clean them and wash floors and windows, too.
3. Hot water on tap
The Quooker Boiling Tap is for busy people. It provides boiling water instantly for every task.
Combining the benefits of an electric kettle, vacuum flask and water purifier in one, it stores three litres of water at 110C in a compact, insulated tank fitted below your work surface. From £630 (quooker.com).
The Quooker Boiling Tap is for busy people. It provides boiling water instantly for every task.
Combining the benefits of an electric kettle, vacuum flask and water purifier in one, it stores three litres of water at 110C in a compact, insulated tank fitted below your work surface. From £630 (quooker.com).
4. Wine saver
Resist finishing that bottle of good wine with a Vacuvin wine saver. Its seal and pump lets you remove air from the bottle so the wine stays fresh for up to a week. Available in a gift pack with two stoppers at amazon.co.uk from £8.56.
Resist finishing that bottle of good wine with a Vacuvin wine saver. Its seal and pump lets you remove air from the bottle so the wine stays fresh for up to a week. Available in a gift pack with two stoppers at amazon.co.uk from £8.56.
5. The Nespresso U
The latest Nespresso — the "U" (£119) — has a space-saving, slim profile and an easy-tofill water tank. Pop in a Nespresso capsule and the coffee is ready in 25 seconds. The machine switches off automatically, is easy to clean and available in four colours from Nespresso's London boutiques in Brompton Road and Regent Street. Call 0800 442 442.
The latest Nespresso — the "U" (£119) — has a space-saving, slim profile and an easy-tofill water tank. Pop in a Nespresso capsule and the coffee is ready in 25 seconds. The machine switches off automatically, is easy to clean and available in four colours from Nespresso's London boutiques in Brompton Road and Regent Street. Call 0800 442 442.
6. Heated throw
The new faux fur heated throw from Lakeland lets you wrap yourself in luxury while reading or watching TV. It heats in minutes, has nine settings and auto shut-off and is machine washable. £99.99 (lakeland.co.uk).
The new faux fur heated throw from Lakeland lets you wrap yourself in luxury while reading or watching TV. It heats in minutes, has nine settings and auto shut-off and is machine washable. £99.99 (lakeland.co.uk).
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Mission possible: our Cornish home
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