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For a New Year bargain, head to North Killingholme, where £169,950 will buy you this grand Edwardian family house built in 1902. Five bedrooms, a cloakroom and a bathroom are on the first floor, with views over attractive gardens.

Downstairs are three elegant reception rooms with ornate cornicing, a luxury fitted kitchen/breakfast room, a conservatory, a utility room, cellar and store room.

The Humber Bridge and Humberside airport are within a short driving distance and the journey into London by train takes three to four hours.

Further details from Bacons (01472 351126).

BRANDESTON, SUFFOLK

Nestle down for winter in this thatch, yours for £125,000, in the village of Brandeston, deep in the picturesque East Anglian countryside.

A pretty strip of lawn leads to the 17th century cottage, which features a charming sitting room, warmed by an inglenook fireplace. A study, dining room, kitchen and shower room are also on the ground floor. Two bedrooms with exposed wall and ceiling timbers and storage space are upstairs. Outside, a side terrace has climbing plants, flower and shrub borders and timber storage sheds.

London by train from nearby Woodbridge takes about one hour 20 minutes.

Through Jackson-Stops and Staff (01473 218218).