Property: House hunter

The Palace East, in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, is part of the former summer palace of the Bishops of London. It dates from 1430, and was greatly extended in the 18th century.

The palace itself was divided into three in the Fifties. The Palace East has a Jacobean staircase,. Seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, a library, an oak-panelled dining room and a kitchen/breakfast room. There are almost two acres of its own grounds, with outbuildings, and heated swimming-pool with summerhouse. Guide price pounds 435,000, with agents Mullucks Wells (01279 755400).

In the Suffolk village of Kentford, near Newmarket, The Langtry, former home of Lillie Langtry, is for sale for pounds 165,000. The Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, was a frequent visitor. Lillie Langtry bought the house in 1895 and lived there until 1918.

The Langtry forms the east wing of a large Edwardian house, divided into three homes. Two principal reception rooms, a sun room, a breakfast room, a kitchen, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. One bedroom, with cast-iron grate and oak corner wardrobe cupboards, is known as the King's Bedroom. Mature, part-walled garden. Agents are Bedfords (01284 769999).

For what it's worth

As confidence grows in the housing market, so the supply dwindles. Barratt, the housebuilders, find that their home exchange service is growing in popularity, and not just among people with difficult properties to sell. The hassle-free process of buying, which can be completed within a week, is proving particularly attractive to those who do not want to spend months house hunting.