Home: South Lopham, Norfolk

You could keep horses and graze a few sheep on these 4.7 acres, which include a stable block, menage (horse enclosure) and four paddocks. The kitchen garden, with a caged fruit area, will go some way to feeding the family. The paperwork can be kept in the home office in the garage block, leaving the 17th-century, five-bedroom farmhouse for leisure and pleasure. It’s a welcoming setting, with inglenook fireplaces, conservatory and large, light rooms. Guide price: £675,000. Bedfords, 01284 769 999

Home: Barrhill, South Ayrshire

There’s 7.7 acres of grazing land across the road from this Arts & Crafts house, plus menage, stabling and home office if you want to go down the equestrian route. Inside it’s larger than it looks, with three receptions, four bedrooms and a palatial conservatory overlooking large gardens. Offers over £345,000. CKD Galbraith, 01292 268181

Home: Crossgate Moor, Durham

If you did something about those windows, this could be an appealing base in which to raise a few veg and livestock. Two acres of grazing land and outbuildings lie beyond the garden. Inside are four bedrooms and three receptions, but the whole place needs an overhaul, including central heating, wiring and fittings. Offers in the region of £275,000. H&H, 0191 370 8530

Home: Thongsbridge, near Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

Among the 6.25 acres are a duck pond, a stream, woodland and paddock, and there are veg beds in the yard outside the kitchen. The attics, if converted, could add more bedrooms to the current five. Inside is space and grace, with stone fireplaces in many of the rooms, a full-height arched window up the stairwell and a ball-and-claw-foot tub in the bathroom. Guide price: £800,000. William H Brown, 01484 687 818

Away: Montefiorino, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

This four-bedroom house, which could also earn its keep as a B&B, is surrounded by 60 acres of mixed meadow, arable fields and woodland. While you are renovating the neglected interior, you could seek permission to expand into the adjoining barn. Rugged mountain views give the illusion of remoteness, but it’s only two miles from the nearest town, and 30 miles from Bologna and the nearest ski resort. Price: €235,000 (£200,000). Appennino Properties, 00 39 338 5040391