Rowledge, Surrey

This seven-bedroom house is on the market for the first time in 37 years. It has been extended and improved by its owner over time, including the addition of a Juliet balcony that overhangs the large plot surrounded by woodland. A family room leads on to a triple-aspect kitchen, with a central island and French doors. The village is within walking distance of two sought-after secondary schools. It is also just over two miles to the Georgian town of Farnham, from where a fast service goes to London Waterloo in less than an hour. £2m. Winkworth, 01252 733 042

Ightham, Kent

This popular village is in the Kent Downs area of outstanding natural beauty. For sale is this double-fronted period house in the heart of the village, with four bedrooms. Ightham has a primary school, a church, a recreation ground, a farm/village shop and a pub. More amenities are about a mile away in Borough Green, which has a butcher, a baker, a chemist, supermarkets, restaurants, a public house, a GP and a dentist, a health/country club and a mainline station that offers trains to London Charing Cross in about 40 minutes. £775,000. Strutt & Parker, 01732 466 942

Riseley, Bedfordshire

Ten miles from Bedford and its commuter station – with trains into Luton, London and Brighton – is this village surrounded by countryside but bustling with a park and a gym, plus football, cricket and bowls clubs. On the edge is the four-bedroom Millers Cottage, which has outbuildings including a garage, two stables and a hay store. The hallway leads to two reception rooms. The country kitchen has an oil-fired Aga with Shaker-style units and the main bedroom is dual-aspect with low ceiling beams. £675,000. Fitzjohn Estates, 01234 380 360

Hedley, Northumberland

Once a working farmhouse, this stone building was improved in 1981 with an extension with oversized windows and a balcony at the back. It now has six bedrooms and three bathrooms, in 0.9 acres (0.4 hectares) of gardens. The village has its own pub and is 3.4 miles from Stocksfield, which has a doctor’s surgery, a post office, a golf club and a cricket club. It also has a station with services to Newcastle and Carlisle. The village sits to the north-east of the North Pennines area of outstanding natural beauty. £900,000. Finest Properties, 01434 622 234

Newport, Essex

The village railway station runs into London Liverpool Street (in just over an hour). On the high street, on the other side to the river Cam from the station, is Hercules House, a handsome period property with four bedrooms. The open-plan kitchen-diner is in a rear extension, with bifold doors opening on to the neat garden. The basement has been fully excavated, with windows letting in natural light, and is currently used as a playroom. The high street has a bakehouse cum deli as well as two pubs. Newport is home to the Saffron Walden hockey club. £725,000. Mullucks, 01799 520520