Inside August’s quirkiest and most exclusive homes

The award-winning fort conversion…

Built for a Napoleonic invasion that never came, this former fortress on the Suffolk coast has been expertly transformed into one of the country’s most unique homes.

Martello Tower Y, tucked away on a quiet stretch of coastline, was constructed to repel the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and as such dates back to the early 19^th century.

But a complete refurbishment in 2010 has seen the property scoop a number of architectural and design awards, with English Heritage labelling the renovation as “exemplary”.

The three-bedroom home, on the market for £1.25 million, has a completely re-sculpted interior which perfectly blends period features with modern, contemporary architecture.

The sensitive renovation has given the property a modern-day drawbridge as well as a wraparound roof terrace offering stunning views of the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Inside, there are two elegant spiral staircases and a rustic, cosy atmosphere by the log-burner. Each of the three bedrooms fits between the inner funnel wall and outer curved wall, while lightwells and skylights are found throughout the property.

The roof extension, in the words of designer Duncan Jackson, “echoes the sculptural interior of vaulted brickwork creating a congruency between the contemporary and historic”.

During its former life, the tower would have been shared by troops and coastguards in cramped, living quarters, with plenty of gunpowder and cannonballs for company. It was decommissioned in the 1870s.

Rightmove’s property expert Miles Shipside said: “This strikingly unique tower is one of the finest conversion projects I have ever seen; it beautifully combines its rich history and modern finishes with effortless charm. The innovation is second to none and I am hugely impressed by how sensitively the collaborators have dealt with the property. It’s a real gem.”

The tower currently provides a substantial income as a holiday let.

This property is listed for sale with The Modern House.

The private island for sale with its own harbour...

If you’ve ever wanted to escape the rat race and elope to a secluded corner of the world, then this stunning island in Scotland could be just what you’re looking for.

Inchmarnock, at the northern end of the Sound of Bute in the Firth of Clyde, is two and a half miles long, half-a-mile wide and boasts just shy of five miles of beautiful coastline.

The charming shorefront house, up for sale for £1.4 million, sits in an enormous 660 acres of unspoilt land and even boasts its own private harbour – where you can whale watch and swim with porpoises.

Since 1999 the isle has been owned by a couple who have used the main property there as a holiday home.

The main property, originally two semi-detached cottages, offers truly magnificent views in every direction, but whilst peacefully situated, it’s less than 40 miles and under two hours from Glasgow.

The Port House itself provides an open plan living space and has generously-sized rooms, with a paved area and lawn to the rear which would be the ideal place to host family barbecues.

Historians say that the island has endured an eventful past, having previously been subjected to Viking raids as well as being a popular haven for smugglers and even a D-Day training ground.

Rightmove’s property expert Miles Shipside said: “Inchmarnock is quite clearly a remarkably stunning place to call home, but what excites me most is the opportunity for development here. There is real scope to transform this place into an even more idyllic getaway than it already is. The island has gorgeous woodlands and amazing sea vistas and I am eager to see what happens next.”

This property is listed for sale with Strutt & Parker.

Historic castle once owned by Henry VIII’s wives...

This grandiose centuries-old castle has been handed down the generations of British royalty and now it can be yours for £3.25 million.

The original castle was in the ownership of the Royal family for 500 years before it was destroyed during the English Civil War in 1648, with the current structure dating back to the 1830s.

The Grade I-listed castle is situated on the edge of a picturesque market town in Wiltshire, built of attractive stone with enchanting castellations and turrets.

The nine-bedroom property boasts an abundance of period features, from the stone mullioned windows and detailed stone archways to the richly decorated high ceilings – its history is visible at every turn.

The library is stacked with elaborately carved bookcases lining two walls, while the dining room boasts enough space for lavish parties and glitzy events.

Devizes Castle took its name from the Medieval Latin castrum ad divisas, meaning ‘the castle at the boundaries’, because it stood at the central point of three manors. Many records state that the first castle was built on the site by Bishop Osmund of Salisbury in approximately 1080.

The castle played a significant part in the history of this country, particularly during the wars between King Stephen and Empress Matilda in the 12th century.

Subsequently, a number of kings and notables stayed in the castle, including King John who often visited between 1204 and 1216 and later Henry III and Edward I. Until the 17th century, it remained in the hands of the Crown and became the property of the Queens of England, including Henry VIII’s wives, among others.

Rightmove’s property expert Miles Shipside said: “They say an Englishman’s home is his castle but rarely are we able to peek inside an actual bona fide castle that has such a rich heritage and strong connection with the British monarchy. This property beautifully maintains its charming character and detail, but also represents a contemporary, modern home. It’s undoubtedly one of the most luxurious homes on Rightmove.”

This property is listed for sale with Savills.