m+ property Homes of the Week in the City, Country and Coast under £625,000
City: St Asaph Road, Telegraph Hill, London SE4
£575,000 | 2 bedrooms
For London buyers who want period character without taking on a renovation, this beautifully considered apartment in Telegraph Hill has already had the hard work done. Set on the ground floor of a late-Victorian terraced house, the two-bedroom home has been extensively renovated by its current owners, including a new kitchen and garden terrace.
The interiors strike the right balance between original character and contemporary design, but the real luxury for city living is outside. There is a generous private garden to the rear, giving children space to play and adults somewhere for long lunches when the weather allows. Telegraph Hill's leafy streets and south-east London location add to the appeal.
Country: Burnham House, Ketton, Rutland
£625,000 | 4 bedrooms
If September has you contemplating a move to the country, Burnham House makes a particularly convincing case. This Grade II listed home dates back to the 16th century, with exposed beams, inglenook fireplaces and a traditional Collyweston slate roof giving it the sort of character that's difficult to recreate.
There is plenty here for modern family life too. The country kitchen has a proper pantry, while three separate reception spaces provide room for a dining room, sitting room and snug. Four bedrooms are arranged over the upper floors, including a principal bedroom beneath the original beams with views over the garden.
Outside is arguably the biggest draw: a private walled garden with mature trees, fruit trees, vegetable beds and a dining terrace, plus a former 16th-century dovecote offering useful additional space. Ketton itself has a primary school, village shop, pub and sports facilities, while Stamford is just 3.5 miles away. Peterborough's direct trains to King's Cross take around 50 minutes, keeping London within realistic reach.
Coast: Sea Wall, Whitstable, Kent
Guide Price £525,000 | 2 bedrooms
If the dream is being close enough to the sea that it becomes part of everyday life, this two-bedroom cottage in Whitstable delivers exactly that. Set in a sought-after position with uninterrupted sea views, it's the sort of place that makes escaping London for the weekend feel very tempting indeed.
Inside, a bright living space opens through bi-fold doors onto a generous patio, creating an easy indoor-outdoor set-up for summer lunches and evenings by the water. Both bedrooms are doubles and there's a well-equipped kitchen, making the house compact enough to be an easy weekend base but practical enough for longer stays.