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
Nursery times
With the news of a new royal baby on the way we've picked our favourite nursery accessories inspired by Will and Kate. By Nuria Stylianou
1. Hire an expert
Dragons of Walton Street, Chelsea, is said to be best nursery shop in the world, selling handmade bespoke furniture and holding the only licence to reproduce Beatrix Potter scenes in the country. It is run by mother-of two Lucinda Croft, who worked with her friend, Diana, Princess of Wales, to create the pale blue Beatrix Potter-themed royal nurseries of Wills and Harry. She also helped Fergie decorate the Flower Fairies nursery of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, using gingham and pale pinks.
Celebrity requests have come from Elton John and David Furnish (they wanted a crystal-encrusted Moses basket for their baby, Zachary), and Madonna, who wanted a huge mural for the wall of daughter Lourdes's bedroom. Find the firm at dragonsofwaltonstreet.com.
Dragons of Walton Street, Chelsea, is said to be best nursery shop in the world, selling handmade bespoke furniture and holding the only licence to reproduce Beatrix Potter scenes in the country. It is run by mother-of two Lucinda Croft, who worked with her friend, Diana, Princess of Wales, to create the pale blue Beatrix Potter-themed royal nurseries of Wills and Harry. She also helped Fergie decorate the Flower Fairies nursery of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, using gingham and pale pinks.
Celebrity requests have come from Elton John and David Furnish (they wanted a crystal-encrusted Moses basket for their baby, Zachary), and Madonna, who wanted a huge mural for the wall of daughter Lourdes's bedroom. Find the firm at dragonsofwaltonstreet.com.
2. Spitfire wallpaper
Fit for a prince who wants to follow in his RAF dad's footsteps, this aeroplane-covered wallpaper from PaperBoy costs £60 a roll. From notonethehighstreet.com
Fit for a prince who wants to follow in his RAF dad's footsteps, this aeroplane-covered wallpaper from PaperBoy costs £60 a roll. From notonethehighstreet.com
3. The BabyPing Wi-Fi Video Baby Monitor
This will keep an eye on youngsters while you're in another room; £236.98 (babymonitorsdirect). It has a movement sensor, video camera and microphone, and will send an alert to your iPhone or iPad at the first sign of trouble. What's more, because it connects using the internet rather than by radio waves, you will never be out of range — no matter how big your palace.
This will keep an eye on youngsters while you're in another room; £236.98 (babymonitorsdirect). It has a movement sensor, video camera and microphone, and will send an alert to your iPhone or iPad at the first sign of trouble. What's more, because it connects using the internet rather than by radio waves, you will never be out of range — no matter how big your palace.
4. Play soothing nursery rhymes
The UsTwo App (69p) can be downloaded to any iTunes device. For the technominded baby the Zeppelin Air — the ultimate speaker dock from Bowers & Wilkins — is £499.99 (bowers-wilkins.co.uk).
The UsTwo App (69p) can be downloaded to any iTunes device. For the technominded baby the Zeppelin Air — the ultimate speaker dock from Bowers & Wilkins — is £499.99 (bowers-wilkins.co.uk).
5. Hang a mobile
This one fits to a cot to entertain baby. The Little Bird Told Me Luxury Mobile, £40, is from John Lewis (johnlewis.com).
This one fits to a cot to entertain baby. The Little Bird Told Me Luxury Mobile, £40, is from John Lewis (johnlewis.com).
6. The quintessential teddy
An Asquith teddy bear is the perfect companion for any baby. Made in soft mohair they cost from £145 (asquiths.com).
An Asquith teddy bear is the perfect companion for any baby. Made in soft mohair they cost from £145 (asquiths.com).
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