These five standout properties have halls made for towering trees, sparkling decorations and Champagne-bright celebrations– festive magic that will practically begin before new owners move in

Houses with good railway connections Kent: Palm Cottage, ...

Brimming with character, an inimitable Aga inevitably rules the roost and each of these houses boasts one–perfect for gathering and gossiping around and devouring whatever magic emerges from its cavernous ovens

Dray House, Dyrham, near Bath, Gloucestershire. A detached family home next to the historic grounds of Dyrham Park. It has a terrace with pizza oven, an electric-car charging point, and a wooded area

Owning listed properties means stepping into centuries of craftsmanship and character, plus, perhaps, a few quirks, but buyers who truly love history wouldn’t have it any other way

Against a backdrop of overseas conflict and domestic economic uncertainty, the London market has faced challenges in the past 12 months. But rare and ‘best in class’ homes will always win, Zoe Dare Hall discovers, as the capital’s top agents reveal their deals of the year