Always in style

Old rectories and vicarages have never lost their crown, taking architectural pride of place in villages across the country for centuries

- Annunciata Elwes

↑ Kent, £1.85 million

Country residence of the Deans of Canterbury Cathedral for many years, Grade II*-listed The Deanery mostly stands as it was after a Georgian renovation, but some details from its 14th-century origins remain, including the walls from 1303 of the house's Great Hall, now a sizeable entrance/reception room. On the outskirts of the village of Chartham, about four miles from the historic city, it has five bedrooms, together with a three-bedroom cottage in a former barn. Its pretty three-acre grounds are part moated (the moat was restored and lined about 12 years ago), with an orangery, parterre and an avenue of trees leading to an ancient orchard. Finns (01227 454111)

↑ Buckinghamshire, £2.5 million