The Good Life: a daydream-worthy collection of rural retreats and surprising barn conversions

Rural Retreats and Barn Conversions for sale (1)
Upper & Lower Barns, Nr. Southwold, Suffolk
Rural Retreats and Barn Conversions for sale (1)
Thursford Barn, Norfolk
Rural Retreats and Barn Conversions for sale (1)
Orchard Flower Farm, Penzance, Cornwall
Rural Retreats and Barn Conversions for sale (1)
Atrium House, Totnes, Devon
Dedham Vale, Essex
Dedham Vale, Essex
Assington, Suffolk, The Modern House
Assington, Suffolk

To savour the crisp autumnal days of November, we’ve taken to the outdoors and selected six spectacular rural retreats and barn conversions currently for sale.

The Edge of the World: Upper & Lower Barns, Nr. Southwold, Suffolk
This pair of semi-detached properties occupying a vast converted barn, sit on the edge of the beautiful Blyth Estuary and are surrounded by breathtaking views. At low tide, the estuary is teeming with waders – dunlins, curlews, egrets and flocks of avocets – and the resident barn own frequently flies over at dusk.

A Piece of History: Thursford Barn, Norfolk
Sitting on the green in a tranquil north Norfolk village, this small 17th-century barn was recently converted into an impeccable two bed home by Lynch Architects. The conversion has retained the appeal of the original agricultural space, whilst two bedrooms have been discreetly tucked into one end of the building.

Green Fingers: Orchard Flower Farm, Penzance, Cornwall
Nestled within four acres of mature gardens, this five-bedroom house sits on a sloping site with views over a carpet of trees to rolling fields beyond. Perched on stilts, the house has a balcony running along the length of one side to take full advantage of its idyllic vantage point.

Heart of Glass: Atrium House, Totnes, Devon
This light-filled hideaway sits high above the beautiful town of Totnes. Its soaring glass-roofed entrance hall opens out to showcase the exceptional panoramic views of the Devon countryside, and beyond towards Dartmoor.

Constable Country: Dedham Vale, Essex
This site presents a unique opportunity to build an impressive, secluded property alongside a small working vineyard. At the heart of the five acre site of meadows, woodland, and mature vines, is a beautiful private lake.

Breathing Space: Assington, Suffolk
This vast barn conversion was described by the architect as being ‘of cathedral-like proportions’. Large expanses of glass give views of the surrounding agricultural land. The adjacent field is home to a herd of rare-breed cattle, whilst a wildflower meadow sits beyond a walled garden.

For more inspiration, explore our collection of Rural Retreats, filled with modern country houses and barn conversions currently for sale.

Read more: My Modern House: landscape designer Emily Erlam’s idyllic Norfolk barn conversion

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