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10 annexes perfect for multi-generational living

From a bijou house in the grounds of a traditional Welsh property to a seaside retreat with all the views, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to annexes.

Guest Author
Words by: Annabel Dixon

Contributor

Keen for a bolthole for your children before they fly the nest? Or perhaps you’re after a space nearby where you can keep an eye on elderly relatives? If you’re living with different generations, a home with an annexe could be just the ticket to keep everyone happy.

We’ve hunted high and low to find 10 very different properties with annexes for sale right now on Zoopla. Let's take a look.

1. Three-bedroom semi-detached house, Chatham, Kent, £400,000

Three-bedroom semi-detached house, Chatham, Kent, £400,000

To the Garden of England, where the sellers of this house have created the ultimate set-up for multi-generational living. 

A smart log cabin has been built in the garden that has a kitchen and lounge area, double bedroom and bathroom.

Three-bedroom semi-detached house, Chatham, Kent, £400,000

It would work perfectly for elder relatives or younger members of the family. And it could also be used as a home office or business space for beauty services or dog grooming, the selling agent suggests.

Either way, it’s been thoughtfully created, and comes with its own underfloor heating, broadband, TV and telephone services, double glazing and a steel insulated roof.

As for the main house, it’s been extended to create a spacious kitchen and a downstairs loo. All-in-all, a versatile family home.

Available via EweMove Sales & Lettings

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2. Four-bedroom detached house, Killin, Scotland, £415,000

Four-bedroom detached house, Killin, Scotland, £415,000

This local doctor’s surgery in the small village of Killin, near Loch Tay in Perthshire, has been refashioned into a family home with an annexe attached.

It’s an attractive Victorian villa with striking green decorative touches on its exterior - something that’s been extended to the garage and greenhouse too (more of which in a bit).

Four-bedroom detached house, Killin, Scotland, £415,000

Talk about attention to detail. The property has well-proportioned rooms, including a living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, loo and cellar, plus four bedrooms and a bathroom.

The annexe is tucked away at the back of the house and can be reached via the kitchen. It features a sitting room, loo, and double bedroom with - what looks like - views of the garden. 

There’s plenty to get stuck into outside, with the garden wrapping around the house. Helpfully, there’s a detached garage with workspace area, sink and outside taps, as well as a greenhouse.

Available via Clyde Property

3. Three-bed detached house, Tonypandy, Wales, £450,000

Three-bed detached house, Tonypandy, Wales, £450,000

This characterful detached bungalow is nestled in a private and secluded picturesque location with all the views over the surrounding valleys and mountains.

Garth Cottage was originally part of Garth Farm and was actually once the farm piggery! Built before the turn of the century from original stone, it's been beautifully extended since into a luxuriously spacious, open-plan home.

Three-bed detached house, Tonypandy, Wales, £450,000

With stunning landscaped gardens, a lovely big driveway for several cars and a two storey outbuilding, there's plenty of space to enjoy.

Three-bed detached house, Tonypandy, Wales, £450,000

The current purpose-built annex offers excellent potential for further development, currently an ideal hideaway for guests or workshop for small business, there's potential for conversion to a larger granny annex or teenage pad, subject to planning consent.

Available via Property Plus Wales

4. Three-bedroom detached house, Carmarthen, Wales, £450,000

Three-bedroom detached house, Carmarthen, Wales, £450,000

How charming is this open-plan annexe? The light and airy room is currently set up with a lounge area, bed and shower corner. It’s completely detached, offering peace and quiet from what looks like a busy family home. 

The traditional-looking main house has a warm and welcoming vibe. There’s a promising-sounding sun room, two cosy reception rooms, kitchen, utility room and a loo. Plus three bedrooms and a bathroom.

Three-bedroom detached house, Carmarthen, Wales, £450,000

The property’s idyllic setting in the quaint village of Bwlch Newydd really caught our eye. It sits on a 3.1-acre parcel of land, which includes meadows, woodland and a pretty stream. It’s not a million miles away from the picturesque Pembrokeshire coastline either. Time to embrace the great outdoors! 

Available via West Wales Properties

5. Three-bedroom detached house, Isle of Arran, Scotland, £520,000

Three-bedroom detached house, Isle of Arran, Scotland, £520,000

Now this really is a picturesque spot! Hazelbank is sat close to the water’s edge, with stunning views across Kilbrannan Sound on the west coast of Scotland. It is also backed by dramatic hills. 

The house itself was built around 1900 and has been modernised and extended since. Expect high-end finishes here.

Three-bedroom detached house, Isle of Arran, Scotland, £520,000

But where is the annexe, you ask? Well, the one area the owners appear not to have renovated is the double garage attached to the kitchen. And this could ‘easily be converted into additional living accommodation or even an annexe flat for guests or the holiday rental market’, the selling agent points out.

Hazelbank is surrounded by a pretty garden that covers almost two thirds of an acre.

Available via Watermans

6. 4-bed detached house, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, £695,000

4-bed detached house, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, £695,000

Enjoying commanding views over countryside and to the sea, this comfortable four bedroom family home has beautifully landscaped gardens and a self-contained annexe and garage.

There is still some work to be done to convert the double garage into living quarters, but plumbing for a kitchen and shower room is already in place.

4-bed detached house, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, £695,000

With period features from its origins of construction in the 1930’s and extended, Dunedin now provides a stunning family home with glorious views over the garden and out to sea.

There is light filled reception space enjoying a southerly aspect and four bedrooms over two floors along with two bathrooms, one of which being ensuite.

4-bed detached house, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, £695,000

The house benefits from plenty of storage with a cellar, garden shed and even a summerhouse positioned at the top of the beautiful, flower-filled garden, taking in all the glorious views.

Available via Spence Willard

7. Five-bedroom detached house, Hook, Wales, £700,000

Five-bedroom detached house, Hook, Wales, £700,000

Another waterside beauty spot that we just had to feature, this time in Wales. Located on the River Cleddau, ‘The Big House’ is bright and homely (thanks in part to those lovely big windows).

It offers two reception rooms and a kitchen, all well-proportioned. There’s also a utility room and shower room downstairs (handy if you’re coming in from the water), plus five bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.

Five-bedroom detached house, Hook, Wales, £700,000

‘The Little House’ just across the grass is a sweet annexe inside and out. It currently offers a kitchen and storage area on the ground floor and a bedroom tucked away on the first floor.

It is ‘ideal for those who have family to stay, children who would love a fantastic playhouse or an Airbnb’, says the selling agent. But if you’re keen to make your own mark, there’s potential to extend it - if you can bag the relevant planning consents.

There’s plenty to do on the doorstep. Quite literally. The property has direct access to the shoreline, perfect for boating, paddle boarding, swimming or walking. And there’s Pembrokeshire’s popular beaches nearby too.

Available via John Francis

8. Two-bedroom detached house, Penzance, Cornwall, £800,000

Two-bedroom detached house, Penzance, Cornwall, £800,000

Who can resist the charms of the West Country? This traditional farmhouse near Penzance has been beautifully-restored. Many happy hours could be spent pottering around this bright and breezy house and the pretty garden.

Two-bedroom detached house, Penzance, Cornwall, £800,000

It comes with a two-storey, one-bedroom annexe, a neat extra residence for friends, family or - potentially - rental. Alternatively, it could be incorporated into the main house for more bedrooms.

Two-bedroom detached house, Penzance, Cornwall, £800,000

If you’re keen to roll up your sleeves, the house has renovation potential in the form of a stone barn. And you’re in luck - planning permission has already been granted to convert it.

This wonderful home is an unspoilt part of Cornwall. Nestled in a patchwork of fields, it’s close to picturesque coastal paths and beaches.

Available via Stacey Mann Estates

9. Six-bedroom detached house, Exeter, Devon, £1,750,000

Six-bedroom detached house, Exeter, Devon, £1,750,000

This traditional thatched cottage expertly blends period features with modern style. Look no further than the exposed timber beams and inglenook fireplace in the original building alongside the glass and clean lines of the striking extension. 

In terms of proportions, the sitting room as well as the open-plan kitchen and dining room are the real stars of the show on the ground floor.

Unusually, there’s also a couple of bedrooms, a shower room and a sweet library ‘nook’ on this level too. There’s a further three bedrooms and a couple of bathrooms upstairs.

Six-bedroom detached house, Exeter, Devon, £1,750,000

When it comes to features, this cottage seems to have it all: beautifully-landscaped garden, gym, parking, outdoor heated swimming pool behind a stone wall, home office and…an annexe. 

Six-bedroom detached house, Exeter, Devon, £1,750,000

But this is no ordinary annexe. It’s finished to the same high standard as the main house. It includes a 24ft open-plan sitting room and dining room with bi-fold doors and a vaulted ceiling with skylights, kitchen, double bedroom and a shower room. Sign me up!

Available via Knight Frank

10. Five-bedroom detached house, Andover, Hampshire, £2,950,000

Six-bedroom detached house, Exeter, Devon, £1,750,000

You don’t get more quintessentially English than this 17th century brick and flint Hampshire farmhouse. Drove Farm is picture-perfect inside and out. It has got us all drooling, quite frankly.

The layout of this characterful home is dominated by a bright and spacious kitchen, dining and living room.

Six-bedroom detached house, Exeter, Devon, £1,750,000

It has all the other rooms you’d expect of a property of this calibre too: sitting room, drawing room, utility room, pantry and two loos. Upstairs, there’s five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a dressing room.

Five-bedroom detached house, Andover, Hampshire, £2,950,000

Drove Farm comes with a pretty annexe-style cottage, which comprises a bedroom, bathroom and bijou kitchen. But it could be extended into the garage (in the same building) subject to the normal caveat of getting the necessary consents.

A write-up of Drove Farm would not be complete without mentioning the vaulted ‘party barn’, which is link-attached to the annexe, and tennis court. It is nestled in 6.5 acres of scenic countryside.

Available via Strutt & Parker

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