From a thatched cottage to glass and steel, they are all far away from city life One of the defining trends of the lockdowns has been the rush to move out of cities in search of breathing space. This thatched cottage in Holt, near Wimborne, is close to the Cranborne Chase area of outstanding natural beauty, with the bright lights of Poole a 30-minute drive away. With three-bedrooms, two-bathrooms, garage and workshop it backs on to farmland and is right next to Holt Heath nature reserve. When things return to normal you can enjoy a pint in the 16th century Cross Keys Inn in Holt Heath. £675,000. Symonds & Sampson, 01202 843 190 Little Sutton, Lincolnshire This faux Georgian, double-fronted farmhouse was built 20 years ago to complement its agricultural setting. It has the high ceilings and deep sash windows of a splendid Georgian home but with modern amenities. The five-bedroom house and 0.6 hectares (1).5 acres of garden overlook open farmland and it is only a few minutes’ walk to the market town of Long Sutton in the south Lincolnshire fens, close to the west Norfolk border. The larger town of Wisbech is a 15-minute drive to the south, with King’s Lynn to the east. £699,500. Fine & Country 01780 750 200 Pershore, Worcestershire The small rural market town of Pershore sits on the banks of the River Avon, between Worcester and the Cotswolds, in the heart of the Vale of Evesham and is bordered by Tiddesley Wood, which dates back to the ice age. It is famed for its Georgian architecture and medieval abbey, although this four-bedroom, three-bathroom home was built in the 1930s. It has a triple garage, annex and a gated walkway that leads to its own woodland and summerhouse, and there are views over the river and three acres of wrap-around garden. £785,000. Knight Frank 01905 746 885 Moreton Paddox, Warwickshire Rightmove had its busiest Boxing Day ever as people went window shopping for new homes. Ghost House is certainly worth an ogle online as it is impossible to spot from the road. Designed by BPN Architects, it was once shortlisted for the Riba house of the year. Built of glass and steel, with full-length Crittall-style windows and reflective pools on the roof, the property is tucked into the hillside and covers 5,446 sq ft. It has three bedrooms, a cinema room and a sunken courtyard with cherry trees. £2.5m. The Modern House, 020 3795 5920 Corsiehill, Perth It doesn’t get much more secluded than living in a wood at the top of a hill. Once a 19th century gatekeeper’s abode, this stone house sits at the end of a no-through-road in the middle of Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park on the edge of Perth. If that’s not remote enough you can head into the Highlands as the Angus Glens are within easy reach and the ski slopes of Glenshee 40 miles north. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house covers almost 185 sq metres (2,000 sq ft) and has two timber sheds, a summerhouse, a greenhouse and a double garage. £495,000. Savills, 01738 477 525