A pick of the best historic homes

From notable former owners or connections with royalty, to homes with architectural merit and those that play a central role at the heart of their communities – there is something special about owning a home with a rich in history.

Such properties are typically bursting with character and charm and have a lifetime of memories to pass to the next generation.

Whether a large estate that employed many people, or a prominent building converted into a family home – older houses are often fundamental to the makeup of the local area.

Featured in the gallery below are some of the finest historic properties currently on the market, each with its own story to tell.

Grade I-listed Ickenham Manor, for example, dates back to the 14th century and is believed to be the oldest surviving dwelling in Middlesex still in domestic use. Originally constructed as a four-bay open hall house on the site of an ancient motte tower, the property has evolved over time with substantial additions in the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries, all of which contribute to its rich architectural character.

Coopersale House in Essex meanwhile is a magnificent Grade II-listed 17th century country home on the edge of Epping Forest that is steeped in local history. Set in 23 acres and with many well-known owners, the gardens and grounds were designed in the 1730s for local lawyer and politician William Eyre Archer by Adam Holt, who landscaped the water gardens of Wanstead Park.

Also included in our list are:

An exceptional Arts and Crafts home by renowned architect C F A Voysey
A Grade II-listed townhouse thought to be one of Cheltenham's most recognised homes
A Victorian country house in Dorset designed by English novelist (and trained architect) Thomas Hardy
A splendid riverside home dating from circa 1625 where the living room previously served as a lock keeper's cottage and which later housed a pumping station used by the field hospital operating out of neighbouring Lilford Hall during the Second World War
A Buckinghamshire country house that was home to the equerry to King Edward VII and regularly visited by Queen Victoria
A wonderful Scottish estate centred around a remarkable Robert Adam mansion
A stunning Grade II*-listed country house in Norfolk that was the birthplace of Attorney General for England and Wales and Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas Sir Henry Hobart
A charming Grade II-listed 17th century property with links to ‘Founding Father’ of the USA Alexander Hamilton
A beautifully presented country house in Hertfordshire that dates from the 16^th century
An impressive coastal home on the English Riviera used as a Second World War naval hospital
A former hunting lodge of Henry VIII on the London/Surrey border

Owners of historic properties are buying more than a home. As custodians of what are often important local landmarks, they play a valuable role in ensuring the legacy of that property lives on so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.