A bite of the apple

With the growing season upon us, here are some beautiful houses with orchards ripe for the picking

- Annunciata Elwes

Wiltshire, £1.395 million

Contemporary design and Classical proportions are blended beautifully at four-bedroom Harcourt Farm, between the village of Zeals and the Stourhead estate. On the edge of three counties, Gillingham in Dorset and Bruton in Somerset should take care of both everyday and artistic needs; proximity to The Newt is also a benefit. Improvements made to the property over the years do not detract from the charm of features such as inglenook fireplaces and an original bread oven and the agents describe the gardens of just under two acres as 'captivating', with an orchard, lawns flanking a sweeping drive, mature trees and shrubs, 'rolling down the valley to meet one of three ponds and a woodland area, which sits on the River Stour boundary'. There's also a paddock with road access and a spacious outbuilding incorporating a double garage, home office/studio and two barns—a candidate for possible development. Hamptons (01722 563117)

Herefordshire, £2.85 million