Property: Three To View At pounds 325,000

QUAY HOUSE at Kirby-Le-Soken, two and a half miles from Frinton- on-Sea (Liverpool Street 1 hour 30 minutes) in Essex comes with its own quay and overlooks the Walton Backwaters to Horsey and Skippers Island. The area was the setting for Arthur Ransome's Secret Water.

The main rooms in the four-bedroom house all have views across the water, which, as it is tidal, changes from water to marsh. There is an 18ft sitting room with exposed timbers, woodburning stove and fitted bookcase and a 22ft hallway study, also with fitted bookshelves.

Outside there is a double garage, workshop area and steps up to a sail loft. With marsh and slipway, it has over six acres. The neighbouring two-bedroom Pilot's Cottage is also being sold at offers around pounds 140,000. For sale through Strutt & Parker (01473 214841).

WALNUT TREE cottage in Old Bletchley, Buckinghamshire is a Grade II listed thatched cottage within walking distance of Bletchley railway station (45 minutes to Euston) and four miles from Milton Keynes.

Restored and renovated, it stands in over an acre of grounds which include flower beds, trees and an old well pump. The four-bedroom house, thought to date from the 17th century, has a large reception hall, 16ft sitting room with inglenook fireplace, separate dining room and a 21ft kitchen with space for an Aga. There is a downstairs loo and upstairs bathroom, both with white suites. For sale through Brown & Merry (01296 622855).

NUMBER 2 Bishops Oast forms part of an unusual six roundel oast that was converted about 12 years ago.

The house has its own two roundels, in one of which is the 18ft circular kitchen, with units fitted neatly in the round.

Three of the four bedrooms are also circular, as is an 18ft leisure room with large spa bath and sauna. The rectangular drawing room has exposed beams and a brickwork fireplace and on the galleried landing-cum-study area is the original hop press.

There is an integral 28ft garage, the gardens lie on the opposite side of the lane, approached via a wooden bridge and include small orchard, vegetable garden and summerhouse. For sale through GA Town & Country (01622 765241).