WowHaus top 30 most popular houses of 2024
It’s back, the round-up we have all been waiting for. The WowHaus top 30 most popular houses of 2024.
I used to do this rundown every year, but time has prevented me from doing it over the last couple of years. Which is a shame, as it was always the most popular thing I posted up each year.
To avoid missing the cut, I’ve gone in a little earlier this year. Plenty of amazing house finds in the last 12 months, but the most popular are never the ones you expect. I would guess the top five aren’t what you would expect this year, either.
So grab a brew, kick back and check out the most popular houses of the last year. And if you see one for sale that could make the grade (or if you are selling one), then do let me know. Because thousands of people are out there waiting to see it.
30. 1930s Marcel Breuer modern house in East Preston, West Sussex
Let’s start with a modernist icon. But amazingly, only making the number 30 slot.
One of my personal favourites, it is the only UK house designed by the noted architect, and was looking for just its third owner since construction.
Very much in the international style, it needed a careful renovation that would maintain its original look and feel. Not an easy—or cheap—job, but a rare opportunity if you had the £1,250,000 to spare.
29.1930s E. William Palmer art deco house in Saltdean, Brighton
A similar era but a different style. And a house I also featured a decade or so back.
The house was one of a group designed by architect E. William Palmer and built in 1934. This property adjoins its ‘twin’ via the matching garages. It has been updated in the last decade—and for the better—mixing modern-day features with some art deco charm.
Pricey again at £1,000,000.
28. Midcentury modern time capsule in Culford, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
One thing you can always guarantee is the popularity of a ‘time capsule’ house. And this is a gem.
A sprawling house (which I think is still up for sale) and as well as being a characterful place to live, might well adapt as a dream of a TV and film setting, too. Good money can be made on that front.
It’s packed with retro details, right down to the games room, audio system and even the original double bed. If you love the mid-20th century, then this might get your pulse racing. £1,500,000 for this.
27. 1960s midcentury modern house in Cambridge
The image above is something of a teaser. Because what’s beyond that modest frontage is so much more impressive.
It’s the midcentury modern dream, looking like it has just been completed despite being almost 60 years old. Hardly anything had been touched here, and although some areas need updating, the potential here is obvious.
Still for sale if you are interested at around £850,000.
26. Reginald Gale midcentury modern house in Barnstaple, Devon
From a renovation project to a house that has been restored immaculately.
The current owner has restored this one to its former glory in association with the leading design studio Sybarite. The end result is quite jaw-dropping.
It looks like it might be out of the pages of some hip magazine like Dwell or Atomic Ranch. That’s the point. This is a stylised version of midcentury modern, updated for the 21st century. The look of the past, the functionality of the present.
It was up for around £1,775,000.
25. 1960s midcentury modern house in Raglan, Monmouthshire
Can a roofline sell a house? Quite possibly.
This one is still for sale—and at a recently reduced price, which is surprising as it was/is a very popular design.
The architecture appeals, as does the originality of the interior and the space within. It’s also on a big plot. But there is the caveat that the land is being split, so only half of it will be yours. But there is still plenty of land compared to any modern-day build.
Around £520,000 for this one.
24. 1930s H.W. Simister modern house in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
An amazing house with a famous owner. But the condition of this Grade II-listed house is more significant.
The house comes out of the international modern movement and its interpretation in 1934, with some art deco elements and influences too. In some parts of the house, it looks like time has stood still for 90 years, with the period details looking immaculate and almost new.
However, some modern touches elsewhere make it a very stylish contemporary home. £1,975,000.
23. Oaklands Farm in Wootton Wawen, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire
Staying in that part of the world, but a very different – if equally fascinating – property.
Something of a Frank Lloyd Wright influence over Oaklands Farm, with it being a renovation project only adding to the appeal. The circular rooms are unusual but very eye-catching, as are all the original built-ins and woodwork that was still in place. Oh yes, 27 acres of land with this one, too.
All of that for £1,200,000.
22. 1970s Derek Bottomley modern house in Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire
The WowHaus site was inspired by this 1970s Derek Bottomley modern house and was one of the first I wrote about when I started it. Fast forward some years and it went back on the market.
Pretty much unchanged too. That first time was the first time it was on the market and thankfully the second owner has maintained all of its modernist detailing, which was the work of local architect Derek Bottomley, who constructed this for his own use. And yes, a spiral staircase. I love a spiral staircase. It was up for £800,000.
21. 1960s midcentury modern house in Hill Brow, Hampshire
I only featured this a few weeks back, but you can see why it was so popular.
The windows held it back a little, but once replaced with something more appropriate, this one would be next level. I love all those angles and space, and there’s no shortage of original detail, too. Also, check out the staircase.
£1,100.000 for this, and it is still up for sale.
20. 1970s modern house in Nazeing, Essex
There was an option to knock down and replace—or you could have restored this 1970s modern house in Nazeing, Essex, to its former glory.
The classic retro box was packed with details from the 1970s, and as you might expect, it needed quite a lot of work. But a big plot meant that it was also seen as a wider development opportunity.
This one was up for £1,000,000.
19. 1960s Fred Taylor modern house in Knottingley, West Yorkshire
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Or a house by its exterior.
It looks fairly typical of the era from the outside, but it comes to life within. Designed by prolific local architect Fred Taylor in 1964, it has changed little inside, if at all. Everything down to the kitchen and bathroom looks like it was designed for the original owner.
Updates are needed, but again, there is plenty of original detail to cherish.
18. 1960s midcentury modern house in Gifford, East Lothian
One of a group of similar designs, with this particular example being one of the best out there.
The architecture has a Californian midcentury modern vibe about it (despite its location) and the owners have run with that, adding in a cool retro look without it looking like some kind of pastiche of the era. It’s a stylish, modern-day home.
It was on the market for £530,000.
17. 1960s townhouse in Southsea, Hampshire
Another that doesn’t sell itself from the outside shot. The potential was the word here.
This is a rather typical 1960s townhouse, which has been updated here and there. But not radically. The bones are still the same now as the were half a century back.
Wood ceilings, exposed brick walls, an original staircase—you get the idea. And so bare—this is crying out for a quick renovation, which is perhaps why it was so popular. That and the £375,000 price tag.
16. Midcentury modern house in Orrock, near Aberdeen, Scotland
This one has been marketed a couple of times but remains popular. It’s a strong midcentury modern design.
Built later than you might expect (in the 1970s), it has been maintained and updated to a high level. Check out the kitchen, the exposed stone work, the wood ceilings, and all the fixtures and fittings. It’s a good-looking piece of architecture, too.
It was offers over £320,000.
15. 1950s Farnley Hey modern house in Farnley Tyas, West Yorkshire
I expected this to be much higher. Perhaps over-familiarity was the issue, as this is an iconic modern British house.
It’s also still for sale if you want to own this Peter Womersley design, which is one of the best preserved and most significant modern houses in the UK. But that is quite an undertaking. It looks amazing, but I imagine a lot of work is required to keep it so.
£1,200,000 if I can tempt you in.
14. 1960s Malcolm Macdonald midcentury modern house in Lymington, Hampshire
Not the work of there former Newcastle United forward – this is by a local architect of the same name.
A house making a second appearance on WowHaus and looking much better the second time around. It is contemporary but with enough of its 1960s charm left to catch the eye. Oh yes, 1.3 acres of land to play with too.
It was up for £1,290,000.
13. 1950s midcentury modern house in Dollar, Clackmannanshire
I am always amazed and pleased that there are so many well-preserved midcentury modern houses in Scotland. Like this one, for example.
On the market for the first time, it was designed by a good friend of the original owner, and has changed very little since. So if 1960s modernism was your thing, it likely ticked the box. Especially with so many original details still in place.
12. 1970s David Shelley modern house in Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire
Something very different – and different is always a selling point.
This 1978 design hovers between modernism, brutalism and space-age design, which is no bad thing, and sits in over an acre of land. It has been updated, which again isn’t a bad thing, looking fresh and modern within.
But with a house like this, there’s only so much modernising you can do. The original 1970s character will always be present.
It was on the market for the first time in over 30 years with a guide price of £950,000. In fact, it still is.
11. 1960s Geoffrey Bateman midcentury modern house in Loughton, Essex
Another that might not sell itself from the kerb but comes to life when you get beyond the front door.
This landmark 1965 design, built for the architect’s own use, is still faithful to the original plans and packed with original detail. Those details were obviously high-end and have been maintained to a very high standard over the decades. It is something of a 1960s modernist dream.
But not a cheap option with a guide price of £1,850,000.
10. 1970s modernist time capsule near Workington, Cumbria
This appealed on three fronts. The architecture and the condition, but above all, the price.
This is (probably) the cheapest modern house on the market right now, especially after a recent price drop. The location might not work for some people, but if you fancy the move to this part of Cumbria, you’ll find a house in need of some work, but with bags of potential, and for not a lot of cash.
In modern terms, £200,000 seems like something of a bargain.
9. 1960s modern house in Colinton, Edinburgh
When you think of Edinburgh, you don’t necessarily think of modernist design. But there are plenty of examples in the area, with this one offered with so much potential.
Very much the time capsule property, with everything from the beams and built-ins through to the decor largely unchanged. Yes, it would have required both investment and work, but houses like this are getting harder to find.
It was up for offers over £650,000.
8. Domus 1950s midcentury modern house in Reedley, Lancashire
I thought this might have been a contender for the number one slot. I think it might have been my personal number one. A house I have wanted to own for years.
Sadly, finances don’t allow that. This is the first modern house in this particular county, sitting in over five acres of land and maintained to an incredibly high standard. Features are numerous, from the dance floor and bar to the living room and retro signage within.
If you love the era, this is a house that should be on your wants list. Of course, houses like this don’t come cheap, with the current asking price being £1,200,000.
7. 1950s Wallis, Gilbert and Partners modern house in Chelsea, London SW10
Ridiculously expensive, but that’s down to the postcode. And it didn’t stop it from selling pretty hastily.
I suspect there aren’t many untouched houses in this part of London. But here we are, with a house designed by architects Wallis, Gilbert and Partners in 1956-7 and featured in the publication Homes and Gardens in March 1959. Then pretty much left alone.
I have no idea if all of the original features have survived a new owner, but this is pretty much a step back in time. Be gutting if that kitchen ended up in a skip.
6. 1950s midcentury modern house in Bridlington, East Yorkshire
Probably one of the more recognisable modern houses in the UK for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, this has been a popular Airbnb for some years, so some of you might well have stayed here. Also, the house featured on the front cover of an Idles album. So unique for that reason.
It’s also a large and appealing midcentury modern house in its own right. Updated here and there (I suspect because of its use as an Airbnb), it retains much of its original character, not least the staircase against the wall of glass.
£654,950 for this one.
5. Art deco-style house in Paignton, Devon
Another fairly low-key house from the outside. But holding a surprise within.
It was a renovation project and as such, had plenty of original details from decades past still in place. Always a good starting point. But there was something else. It was built for the renowned artist J.H. Willis, and his art studio is still on the upper floor. A huge space that would work on that front or for anything else you need. Loads of light and space.
It was on the market for offers over £250,000.
4. 1960s modern house and time capsule in Plymouth, Devon
Yes, those words again – ‘time capsule’. Always a good starting point. And this was one of the better ones.
Not perfect – some details have aged less well than others – but others look perfect for an upgrade and to live on for many more years. The wood, the stone details, the built-ins and the stairs. Maybe not the carpets, though.
£375,000 seemed a good price for the size of the house, too.
3. 1950s modern house and time capsule in Camberley, Surrey
This 1950s modern house and time capsule in Camberley, Surrey, was one of the best projects I had seen in a long time.
It was a large auction property packed with 1950s touches you really would struggle to replicate. From the fireplace to the kitchen (complete with the original cooker), this had so much 1950s charm. Size-wise, it was pretty impressive, too, while the location is also worth noting. Check out the overhead photo to get an idea of that.
£810,000 wasn’t cheap, but it looked good value when you consider what you got.
2. Midcentury modern house in Wrexham, North Wales
Considering how popular this one is, I’m amazed it is still on the market.
Picture postcard midcentury modern, known locally as the ‘house on stilts’, it is generally well preserved. However, it perhaps needs some work to bring it back to its best. There is planning permission to extend it, but I like it just how it is.
On the market right now for £325,000.
1. 1960s midcentury modern house in Ilkley, West Yorkshire
So here we are, the most popular house on WowHaus in the last 12 months. And a house that sold pretty quickly after I featured it.
A popular location (it was voted The Sunday Times Best Place to Live in the UK in 2022), and a popular house. Very much midcentury modern in inspiration, likely from the 1960s and with all the details buyers of this kind of house love. The wood, the stonework, the open space, and easy access to the outside space.
With this one, that’s via a balcony that offers some amazing rural views from the rear of the house. This hillside design really was a one-off. Which is perhaps why so many people fell for it.
At £825,000, it wasn’t cheap. But it was cheap enough for someone to snap it up quickly.
And that’s it! I might try and sneak some more finds in over Christmas, but the majority of houses have been found and featured.
Thanks to everyone for your help. From reading, to pointing out houses, for general support and for those who have supported the WowHaus site via Ko-Fi, which is a massive thing for me.
Let’s do more of the same in 2025.
