If even listed properties are a bit too modern for you, how about setting up home in a scheduled ancient monument?
For some people, day trips to ancient monuments are just not enough. They want to experience our country's past by living in one of our most special buildings.
What is a scheduled ancient monument?
Since 1882 a list, or schedule, has been kept of ancient monuments deemed worthy of our protection.
The word 'monument' covers a whole range of deliberately created structures, from prehistoric burial mounds, to medieval castles, and even more recent relics of human activity, such as collieries.
The 18,300 entries on the schedule have been classified as being of national importance because of characteristics such as rarity and potential to contribute to our understanding.
And, by being on the schedule, they are guaranteed our protection for generations to come.
Ancient almonry
Many ancient monuments started out as agricultural or commercial buildings, and have now been successfully converted into beautiful and unusual homes.
Jacqui Figgis and her partner Chris Weir live in the 15th century Almonry Barns in Muchelney, Somerset, which was converted into a home and business around 12 years ago.
"It was part of the former Benedictine Abbey, which was second only to Glastonbury in its time," explains Jacqui.
"The word almonry comes from the giving of alms. It was where travellers to the abbey were welcomed and given food and shelter. And after the dissolution it became a farm."
True to the building's historical purpose, the couple used the barn as a restaurant and tearooms, and they gave art courses in the studio.
"It's much loved by everyone in the area," says Jacqui. "It's almost used like a village hall; we've done weddings funerals, and christenings.
"It was also very popular with walkers and cyclists. Coming here for a cream tea is really a very special experience."
The almonry was sympathetically converted by the previous owner, who was an architect, with some financial assistance given by English Heritage, the body that grants the ancient monument status.
Financial help isn't guaranteed, but the English Heritage grant scheme can offer funds to historic buildings deemed to be in need of urgent repairs within two years.
As a scheduled ancient monument, any major changes that the owners have made since have also had to be approved by the English Heritage.
Fortunately Jacqui and Chris have not found this to be too onerous.
"English Heritage are fine as long as you don't alter the fabric of the building," says Jacqui. "For example, we wanted a wooden floor, so we built a frame and put it over the original stones.
"They are very aware of the fact that the barn would fall down if someone wasn't here looking after it and keeping the place heated and dry."
The almonry is now for sale. Jacqui explains, "We've closed the business down because we want a quieter life. And we've decided to sell because the house is too big for just the two of us.
"We love it very much but it needs to be used."
Jacqui hopes that the new owners will appreciate how very special the almonry is.
"You look out over the abbey and you feel that you are custodians of an amazing place, and you want to keep it going for the next generation."
Monumental challenge
Andrew Smith from Carter Jonas's York office, is currently marketing Lendal Tower, an ancient monument in need of a little TLC.
The sale includes the Medieval tower and two adjoining Georgian Grade II-Listed properties, on the banks of the River Ouse, in the heart of York's city centre.
All three are on the market for a modest £650,000.
Even in historic York, instructions to sell ancient monuments are rare.
"We only get one, maybe two a year," says Andrew. "The other one this year was a church.
"But this property has a very interesting history. It was built as part of the old city wall defences in around 1300 to stop boats coming across into the city."
According to Andrew, a great iron chain was pulled across the river to Barker Tower opposite, so that tolls could be charged for entry and the city could be protected in times of trouble.
Then, in 1677, the tower was leased to the York Waterworks Company and water was pumped from the tower into pipes running throughout York for over 200 years.
Who's buying?
"This is the sort of property where most people will be easily scared off by the amount of work needed. There are issues with flooding, and it will take hundreds of thousands of pounds to refurbish it," says Andrew.
"It will need someone who has a speciality in dealing with this sort of property, and is wealthy too.
"And buyers do have to ensure that their plans won't breach the English Heritage conditions.
"When it's finished the three properties will probably be used for residential purposes, perhaps as holiday homes or city residences.
"The tower will be a flight of fancy for someone who wants to own a piece of history.
"It is an amazing building where you feel like you're part of history – you can feel it all around you."
Monumental challenge
If you can't find a sufficiently ancient building through the normal channels, try this.
Every quarter, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) publishes a list of historic buildings in need of repair, or new use, that are for sale or lease.
These range from castles to cottages, and churches to industrial buildings, and prices go from £50,000 to £10 million.
To get hold of the list you do have to become a member of SPAB, at a cost of £36. This is because, they say, they are aiming to find sympathetic and principled owners for buildings 'in need'.
Which is probably a small price to pay to take the first step towards owning and protecting a real piece of our architectural heritage.