Luxury living: Ivy and wisteria-covered homes

This handsome Edwardian house has an idyllic setting on 3.2 acres of mature landscaped grounds in the Hertfordshire village of Broxbourne. The eight-bedroom residence has been impeccably restored and remodelled. Its elegant ivy-covered façade has retained its original splendour, as have the splendidly proportioned reception rooms, including a grand drawing room anchored by an attractive open fireplace. The ancillary buildings comprise a self-contained, one-bedroom guest cottage and three garages. 

Monte Alverno is a magnificent Victorian mansion enclosed within 1.2 acres of Italianate gardens in the historic coastal village of Dalkey. The castellated, ivy-covered residence occupies a spectacular elevated, south-facing site with sweeping views of Killiney Bay. Originally built in 1835, the grand Gothic Revival house has been restored and renovated for the 21st century while retaining original 19th-century details. Among the unique features are a Chinese garden with waterfall and lily pond, wooded walkways, granite terraces, and a greenhouse. A tennis court, 65-foot-long heated pool, and an observation tower add to the grandeur.

This renovated stone manor house, just 15 minutes’ drive from the famous village of Gordes, is surrounded by 29 acres of peaceful grounds planted with cherry trees, olive trees and lavender. The ivy-clad main residence features seven en suite bedrooms, a reception room, formal dining room, library, cinema, and large gourmet kitchen. The main residence is complemented by an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, guest annex, and staff quarters.

Chesnutt House has a commanding location overlooking Forsyth Park in the historic heart of downtown Savannah. The majestic, three-storey Queen Anne house is one of the city’s landmark homes. Built in 1897, it has five bedrooms and has been lovingly restored while maintaining its ornate period details. From the wisteria-veiled front porch with double copper-roofed belvederes to the Moorish fretwork, original fireplaces, and vintage stained glass, Chesnutt House boasts museum-quality architectural details that evoke the grandeur of the Victorian era.

Rustoord House (also pictured top) is a magnificent 1920s manor house in the village of Esbeek in North Brabant, Netherlands. Originally built as a holiday retreat, the property underwent a complete restoration in recent years, retaining its beautiful period architecture while adding contemporary comforts. The grand red-brick residence is covered in a thick wall of ivy, punctuated with large picture windows. The living spaces measure nearly 30,000 square feet across three levels, with nine stylish bedroom suites. The main house is complemented by a coach house, an entertaining terrace, and formal gardens, which are surrounded by private parkland, farmland, and forests.