Fantasy House Hunt: Eco-Conscious Properties Across England
In today's property market, energy efficiency is becoming a key consideration for buyers. A selection of homes currently for sale in England showcases how modern technology can blend with traditional charm, featuring air source heat pumps and solar panels to reduce environmental impact and running costs.
Oswestry, Shropshire: A Stone Longhouse with Modern Upgrades
Nestled in a valley near the Welsh border, this stone longhouse in Oswestry offers a unique blend of history and sustainability. Originally designed for livestock, the property now features solar panels on its roof and has been thoughtfully extended with a terrace raised on stilts over a pond. Surrounded by Candy Woods, once owned by Ian Fleming, the home includes four bedrooms in the main house plus an additional bedroom in a separate annexe. The garden boasts a studio, a geodesic dome greenhouse, and a folly bell tower, creating a truly distinctive setting. The property is listed at £1.1 million.
Stalbridge, Dorset: Boutique Development with Green Credentials
In one of Dorset's smallest towns, a boutique development sits adjacent to a Grade II-listed church, offering views across the Blackmore Vale countryside. Among the seven properties available is a two-bedroom upside-down house, where the open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area occupies the first floor, leading to an upper terrace. Bedrooms are located on the ground floor, with a roll-top bath in the main suite. All homes in this development are equipped with solar panels and air source heat pumps, priced from £450,000.
Ashford Hill, Hampshire: Renovated Victorian Charm
Located in the village centre between Newbury and Basingstoke, this pretty house dates back to the 1850s. Renovated in 2021, it retains period features such as an inglenook fireplace and wood-burning stove, while incorporating solar panels and an air source heat pump. The property features solid wood flooring, a study, and a kitchen with wooden units, stone worktops, and a brick floor. Close to local amenities and nature reserves, it is listed at £950,000.
Nether Compton, Dorset: Net-Zero New-Build
On the edge of Nether Compton, where Somerset meets Dorset, this new-build four-bedroom house is designed for energy efficiency. As a net-zero home, it is well-insulated and uses solar panels to generate electricity, powering an air source heat pump and providing underfloor heating throughout. The light-filled interior features large glass doors and Douglas fir framing, with an open-plan layout. An electric car charging point is included on the drive, and the property is priced at £650,000.
Sydenham, London: Riverside Development with Sustainable Heating
Dylon Riverside, a development on the River Pool in Sydenham, offers homes heated exclusively by air source heat pumps. A one-bedroom flat with a winter garden is currently for sale as part of a new phase releasing 164 homes this month. The development is close to Lower Sydenham railway station, providing easy access to London Bridge within approximately 15 minutes. Prices start from £370,000.
These properties highlight a growing trend in the UK housing market, where sustainability meets style, offering buyers the opportunity to invest in homes that are both environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
