Knowbury Hall is a beautifully restored country house in an idyllic rural setting, in one of the West Midlands most sought-after areas.

Launched to the market by Balfours, it comes with 20 acres of permanent pasture and a full complement of traditional outbuildings, including stabling, garaging and barns, plus a two-bedroom cottage. Additional land is available by separate negotiation.

Located four miles east of Ludlow, Knowbury Hall is situated on the edge of its namesake village nestled under the Clee Hill, with Shrewsbury, Hereford and the Midlands easily accessible. Boasting 180 degree views across the valley, the accommodation is well laid out with the generous entrance hall giving access to three reception rooms and a large kitchen breakfast room. The utility benefits from access from the hall and a rear door, while the study links to the conservatory. There are five bedrooms on the first floor, two en-suite, plus the family bathroom.

Balfours Ludlow sales manager, Scott Kemsley, comments: “This is one of those exceptionally rare finds. A perfectly formed petite estate with all the components from stunning Georgian house with sash windows, high ceilings, cellars and wonderful gardens and grounds. Within the grounds is a courtyard of traditional buildings, stables and garages.

“As a family home Knowbury Hall has much going for it, close by there is a choice of independent and state schools, golf courses and National Hunt racecourse, plus good rail links to the major cities,” he adds. Balfours are marketing with a guide price of £1.35 million; call Scott on 01584 707100.

A six-bedroom property including annexe living, featured on several TV shows, including by UK property guru, Sarah Beeny is on the market.

The Coach House, Betchcott, PIcklescott, was restored and renovated to a high and imaginative standard by the current owners in 2015. It currently provides a three-bedroom family home, plus two award winning boutique holiday cottages, which are constantly booked.

Not only is the attraction due to the immense character of internal living space, but also its location, nestled in the South Shropshire Hills, adjacent to the Long Mynd. As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the walking, cycling and hiking routes tick the box for an idyllic lifestyle or fabulous holiday. Less than a mile away the village pub offers good dining, while Church Stretton has numerous eateries, plus a full complement of independent shops, services, including primary and secondary schools.

Charlie Giffard, Balfours associate partner, country house sales, says: “This is an utterly unique property set on an historic estate, the entrance is via lake views and of course it is set in magnificent countryside too.”

The Coach House accommodation welcomes into a large lounge with wood-burning stove, access to the landscaped courtyard, also to the utility, and stairs. The kitchen is linked via an original stone walkway. More wow factors are to be found in the rustic, but well-equipped kitchen, with marble worktop. French doors billow light in and lead out to sandstone terrace and gardens. Upstairs is the master suite, plus a further two bedrooms and family bathroom.

As currently laid out the adjacent annexes comprise of Dove Cottage, a fully equipped two en-suite bedroom cottage, while Wren Cottage is a further self-contained unit with one en-suite bedroom. Balfours are marketing The Coach House with a guide price of £565,000, call 01743 353511.

A contemporary architect’s grand design in Shropshire, is seeking an ambitious buyer with a sense of adventure to develop a stunning self-build, launched to the market by Balfours.

Top Farm comes with imaginative architect’s drawings and full planning permission to create an ultra-modern four-bedroom home of 3,645 square feet. It is set in nearly three and a half acres. Located in the hamlet of Haughton, near West Felton, the county towns of Shrewsbury and Chester are all comfortable commutes as are Oswestry and Welshpool; the latter having its own airfield.

Alistair Hilton, head of sales at Balfours, comments: “Many of us have been inspired by the Kevin McCloud’s C4 TV programme Grand Designs, and Top Farm is a fascinating opportunity for those who really want to make that aspiration a reality. The design provides quirky gestures to its rural location, with Dutch Barn style half-round roof and significant “lean-to” with wonderfully dramatic ceilings and expanses of glazing offering panoramic views with an abundance of natural light. All while utilising the footprint of the derelict farmhouse.”

For all its innovation a central hall with staircase is the meeting point between the living space and bedrooms. Double doors open to an extensive open plan kitchen, diner and living room. There is a large snug, pantry, study, and utility. There are two bedrooms planned on the ground floor with a large bathroom and directly above are two en-suite bedrooms, which will each enjoy balcony outlooks to the wonderful rural views.

There are additional out-buildings, plus opportunity for paddocks, orchard, and gardens within this unique canvas. Alistair adds: “This a once in a lifetime opportunity, the like of which remains rare.” Top Farm is marketed with a guide price of £400,000, call 01743 353511.

Open plan living in a centrally located three-bedroom town house off Ludlow’s Castle Square is on the market with Balfours.

Number Six, Raven Lane, provides accommodation over three floors, plus a good-sized cellar. The internal porch opens into the family room with a well-equipped and partially screened kitchen. The living area benefits from a contemporary wood-burner style gas fire set in chimney recess. Natural light floods in from opposite sides of the room giving an airy feel to character living.

Beyond is the garden room overlooking and giving access to the courtyard terraced garden. A utility and cloakroom makeup the ground floor. The master-room, with its own showroom, is to be found on the first floor, while two additional bedrooms and a second bathroom are on the second floor. Built in wardrobes are to be found in two of the bedrooms.

“This is a wonderfully characterful property with exposed beams, adapted to 21^st century living. The location is quiet, yet so easily accessible to everything the town has to offer, from restaurants and shopping to river walks, golf and the National Hunt Racecourse; not forgetting its strong cultural and foodie identity,” adds Scott Kemsley, Balfours Ludlow sales manager. Six Raven Lane is marketed with a guide price of £400,000, call 01584 707100.

We are experiencing extremely buoyant residential letting demand as lockdown eases. The hunger for property lets in Shropshire and the borders is endorsed in ARLA’s Propertymark’s latest lettings market report, where the West Midlands saw the highest number of new tenants register in March.

To capitalise on this market, we are encouraging landlords to get in touch. Not only do we have a full book of wishful tenants, but also the experience to ensure rentals are optimised. Having your property managed by a professional firm is something which is becoming increasingly common and necessary, due to more and more legislation.

For example, the transition period has now ended for all existing tenancy to comply with The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 this is now a legal requirement. At Balfours, letting is our business, we take the hassle out and replace it with cost effective peace of mind.

Despite the positive market some landlords are looking to sell in an equally strong sales market; both factors are currently driving an insatiable market. To find out the potential of your property to let, do get in touch.

Residential sales market activity continues to grow as a result of more than 18 months bottled-up demand. Remember pre Covid Brexit was holding the market back too!

Such is that demand that we have prospective buyers who frequently match new properties, meaning an un precedented number of sales are achieved without being listed on property portals.

The take home message to prospective vendors is twofold: The market needs more stock to meet demand. Not to be confused with blanket rising values, house prices are strong and sustainable, not soaring.

The latest Propertymark Housing Market Report does show a small rise in the number of properties selling for more than the asking price, the figures represent only 11 per cent of homes sold in February. The majority, 57 per cent, sold for less than the asking price, highlighting the need for vendors to be realistic about the nature of the “booming” property market.

We are delighted that the vast majority of property sales achieved by Balfours sales team this year have been equal to, or greater than guide price. A skill partially accomplished by carefully managing expectations of buyers and vendors. Whilst sales are the ultimate benchmark, overseeing aspirations around timescales and viewings has a value too; closely followed by good to go offers, conveyancing, and sales progression.

Sales of holiday lets remain extremely buoyant; a green light for rural owners in our picturesque county to re-evaluate capital assets?