Homes with an unusual roof – in pictures

There’s no shortage of character at these five properties, from oast houses to castles

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Country diary: sunny 'choirboys' push their ruffs out of the leaf litter

Allendale, Northumberland: Winter aconites, out before even the snowdrops, pop up in unexpected places

Since early January, their sulphur yellow buds have been tightly closed, holding promise in their gently pointed, six-petalled domes. A song thrush has flicked through the leaf litter around them, casting wary backwards glances. A stoat has skipped along beneath the sycamore branches. Mornings have been frosty or damp or flecked with snow.

Now, in a blaze of unfolding, their petals (technically sepals) have opened to the sun and each flowerhead seems to have doubled in size. Winter aconites, out before even the snowdrops, they have pushed aside the decaying leaves of the woodland border to pop up in unexpected places, among lungworts, under hellebores, between box hedge and path, with exuberant freedom.

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Country diary: sunny 'choirboys' push their ruffs out of the leaf litter

Allendale, Northumberland: Winter aconites, out before even the snowdrops, pop up in unexpected places

Since early January, their sulphur yellow buds have been tightly closed, holding promise in their gently pointed, six-petalled domes. A song thrush has flicked through the leaf litter around them, casting wary backwards glances. A stoat has skipped along beneath the sycamore branches. Mornings have been frosty or damp or flecked with snow.

Now, in a blaze of unfolding, their petals (technically sepals) have opened to the sun and each flowerhead seems to have doubled in size. Winter aconites, out before even the snowdrops, they have pushed aside the decaying leaves of the woodland border to pop up in unexpected places, among lungworts, under hellebores, between box hedge and path, with exuberant freedom.

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Top energy-saving tips Nottingham Estate Agents

Saving energy, like recycling waste, is one of those good habits which people acquire, but all too often lose. We tend to get our lofts insulated and turn off electrical appliances we are not using, then fall back into our bad old ways – and end up with inflated energy bills. It should not be […]

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The ‘downsizing’ trend is an insult to young and poor renters

Moving somewhere smaller and more design-efficient is sold as a lifestyle choice. Try telling that to those trapped in shoebox-sized accommodation

Sheri Koones, author of Downsize: Living Large in a Small House, recently suggested renaming the downsizing trend “right-sizing”. Koones draws on her experience of relocating from a 6,800 sq ft house to a 1,400 sq ft one, and suggests that “the key is to have a home that is efficiently designed, both in terms of energy use and space”.

Of all the annoying lifestyle trends, downsizing is the biggest smack in the face for anyone in the private-renting trap. Shoebox-sized, sub-par rental accommodation is the norm in London, while nationwide studies show that homes are getting smaller. Younger adults who have managed to get on the housing ladder know all about the shortage of affordable, spacious accommodation.

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The ‘downsizing’ trend is an insult to young and poor renters

Moving somewhere smaller and more design-efficient is sold as a lifestyle choice. Try telling that to those trapped in shoebox-sized accommodation

Sheri Koones, author of Downsize: Living Large in a Small House, recently suggested renaming the downsizing trend “right-sizing”. Koones draws on her experience of relocating from a 6,800 sq ft house to a 1,400 sq ft one, and suggests that “the key is to have a home that is efficiently designed, both in terms of energy use and space”.

Of all the annoying lifestyle trends, downsizing is the biggest smack in the face for anyone in the private-renting trap. Shoebox-sized, sub-par rental accommodation is the norm in London, while nationwide studies show that homes are getting smaller. Younger adults who have managed to get on the housing ladder know all about the shortage of affordable, spacious accommodation.

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10 tips for choosing your estate agent Nottingham Estate Agents

Property selling is not something most of us do every day, so choosing an estate agency to handle the sale might seem a little daunting. Contrary to what you may think, not all agencies are the same and some will be more effective than others. This guide from OnTheMarket.com will help you find a professional […]

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