M+ Property: What £800,000 Buys You in the City, Country & Coast
Whether you are actively house-hunting or simply indulging in a scroll between meetings, this week’s edit explores three very different ways to live well. From a garden apartment in Little Venice to a characterful Rutland cottage with its own wellness retreat, finishing with a coastal home moments from the sea in Torquay.
City: Sutherland Avenue, Maida Vale W9
Price: Offers in excess of £800,000
Tenure: Share of Freehold
Property type: Apartment
Bedrooms: 3 | Bathrooms: 2
Set within a handsome period conversion on one of Maida Vale’s most desirable residential streets, this beautifully presented three-bedroom garden flat offers the rare combination of generous lateral space and direct outdoor access.
Positioned on the lower ground floor, the apartment benefits from its own private entrance — a detail that immediately gives it the feel of a small house rather than a traditional flat. Inside, a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and reception room forms the heart of the home, designed for easy day-to-day living as much as entertaining. Clean modern finishes sit comfortably within the building’s period framework, creating a space that feels both contemporary and calm.
The principal bedroom is well proportioned, while a second bedroom includes an en suite shower room. A third room offers flexibility as a study, guest room or nursery, reflecting the evolving needs of modern family life. Beyond the interiors, direct access to a generous communal garden adds an invaluable sense of openness — particularly appealing in this part of West London.
The location is equally compelling. Little Venice and Maida Vale offer a village-like rhythm within the city, with Clifton Road and Formosa Street lined with independent cafés, greengrocers and restaurants. Regent’s Canal walks, Paddington Recreation Ground and Clifton Nurseries provide pockets of greenery rarely found so centrally. Excellent transport links from Warwick Avenue, Maida Vale and Paddington complete the picture.
Country: Wisteria Cottage, Market Overton, Rutland
Price: Offers over £800,000
Tenure: Freehold
Property type: Grade II listed cottage
Bedrooms: 4 | Bathrooms: 2
Set within the conservation area of Market Overton, Wisteria Cottage feels rooted in history yet thoughtfully adapted for modern living. Dating back roughly three centuries and once home to the village doctor’s surgery, the house blends period character with contemporary comfort in a way that feels both practical and quietly charming.
Original beams, exposed stonework and lime-plastered walls establish an immediate sense of age and texture upon entering. The recently refitted kitchen sits at the centre of the home, designed as a natural gathering space, while an adjoining dining room anchored by an inglenook fireplace lends itself to long Sunday lunches that stretch into evening.
A light-filled rear extension opens onto the garden, creating a relaxed everyday living space with underfloor heating and wide glazing that connects indoors and out. Upstairs are four generous double bedrooms, offering surprising scale for a cottage property.
The garden has been designed for real use rather than ornamentation, with terraces, children’s play areas and outdoor entertaining spaces woven together by thoughtful planting.
The standout feature, however, is a substantial outbuilding housing an indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym — transforming the property into something resembling a private countryside retreat.
Market Overton itself offers a strong sense of community, with a village shop, pub, sports clubs and excellent schools nearby, while Oakham, Stamford and Rutland Water remain within easy reach. Mainline trains from Grantham connect to London King’s Cross in just over an hour, making this a viable country escape for hybrid living.
Coast: Ilsham Road, Wellswood, Torquay
Price: Guide price £745,000
Tenure: Freehold
Property type: Detached house
Bedrooms: 4 | Bathrooms: 3
Positioned between the boutique cafés of Wellswood Village and the sheltered beach at Anstey’s Cove, this fully renovated coastal home balances relaxed seaside living with contemporary practicality.
An elevated setting allows light to pour through the interiors, beginning with a welcoming hallway finished with herringbone flooring that flows throughout the ground floor. The living room enjoys a wide bay window outlook, while doors open directly onto terraces and landscaped gardens, encouraging an easy indoor–outdoor lifestyle.
At the centre of the house sits a striking kitchen and dining space, fitted with Siemens appliances, quartz worktops and a granite island designed for informal gatherings as much as family meals. A wood burner adds warmth during cooler months, reinforcing the home’s year-round appeal rather than positioning it as a seasonal escape.
Upstairs are four bedrooms — three doubles and one single — alongside modern bathrooms, while outside multiple terraces and a level lawn provide varied spaces for entertaining, relaxing or simply enjoying the surrounding woodland views. A sweeping driveway and ample parking complete the sense of ease.
With coastal walks moments away and Torquay’s growing food and café scene nearby, the property offers a lifestyle defined by proximity to nature without sacrificing everyday convenience.