Homes of the week: a colourful London houseboat, a converted countryside barn and a seaside retreat with coastal views

Top country, waterside and first-time buyer flats for sale this week include a a cool, contemporary barn conversion, a gorgeous seaside home overlooking the beach and a vibrant purple houseboat.

An idyllic seaside retreat overlooking Smugglers Cove in Portreath, Cornwall, has been listed for sale for the first time in 30 years

Faye Greenslade22 July 2020

Waterside home of the week: Portreath, Cornwall

This dreamy seaside home directly overlooks the beach at Smugglers Cove in Portreath, Cornwall, is for sale for the first time in 30 years.

The perfectly positioned apartment comes with a separate one-bedroom annexe — complete with a conservatory — that you could easily rent as a holiday home, while Upper Beach House itself soaks up amazing coastal and countryside views from three bedrooms, a spacious kitchen/breakfast room and sitting/dining room.

An apartment with a onen-bedroom annexe overlooking Smugglers Cove in Portreath is for sale for the first time in 30 years

Outside there’s a pretty terrace and lawn, with a greenhouse to tend to, and steps leading down to a secluded sandy cove.

Trains from Truro (around 14 miles away) reach London in four hours and 40 minutes. For sale for £695,000 through Jackson-Stops. Call 01872 490034.

First-time buyer home of the week: Maida Vale, London

This vibrant purple houseboat is moored at Little Venice

What’s not to love about living on the beautiful waterways of Little Venice, especially when the vessel is one as lovely as this houseboat just off Maida Avenue, W2?

Her vibrant purple exterior is matched by a sunny interior incorporating a perfectly equipped kitchen and spacious living area, along with two bedrooms and a bathroom topped by varnished wood ceilings

The narrowboat home is just as colourful on the inside

The upper deck, painted in serene dark green, is a glorious spot to enjoy living on the water with ample space to dine and sunbathe, while the location is prime for Warwick Avenue Tube and all the treats of Little Venice.

For sale for £400,000 through Knight Frank (020 8012 3480)

Countryside escape of the week: Finglesham, Kent

This four bedroom barn is set in open countryside in the village of Finglesham

This cool, contemporary barn conversion in the pretty Kent village of Finglesham, has it all.

A quiet country lane and private driveway sets the scene for this impressive home, with its vast open living spaces including a dining hall and living room with wood panelled walls.

A double-height, sky-lit kitchen leads to a cosy snug which could also be used as home office space.

Upstairs, four bedrooms with exposed beams have been kitted out in boutique hotel-style, along with a chic family bathroom, all with dreamy countryside views.