Although momentum came and went during 2025, agents around the UK report that exceptional country houses continued to sell, proving that quality and sensible pricing still cut through uncertainty

Letter of the week Keeping mum I ...

The best of the season to inspire and admire

Dear Simon, I was particularly interested in Sylvia Lee’s item on Cope’s Pools in Yesterday Remembered (Pools Party, December). I worked at the company’s offices in Edmonton, north London in 1966-67.

On a leisurely weekend break, the last thing I expected to be wearing was a hard hat with a headlamp, a battery pack and a pair of wellingtons. But there I was, fully togged up – along with seven othe

Pictures of the week We pay £20