A thatched cottage that was once the village pound for stray animals has been refurbished and extended. Up until the 1960s, Pound Cottage, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, pictured, was where loose cattle or other animals were held until their owners stumped up a fee to release them.

Built in the 17th century, the cottage includes a drawing room, dining room and sitting room. The master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and dressing room and there are two other bedrooms and a family bathroom.

There is also a double-storey annex with garden room and double garage on the ground floor and bedroom above.

Other highlights include original oak flooring, wall and ceiling beams, feature fireplaces and Aga and landscaped gardens.

Pound Cottage is on the market for £875,000. For more information or to arrange a viewing, contact agents Carter Jonas on 01865 511444 or visit carterjonas.co.uk Another thatched cottage with an annex that has been refurbished is New Cottage in Stanton St John.

Believed to date back to 1536, the Grade-II listed property has exposed beams, an inglenook fireplace and flagstone floors. The stone cottage includes a sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, study and one bedroom. The detached one-bedroom annex, The Burrows, is below ground level and includes an open-plan kitchen/reception room and a large store area.

New Cottage is on the market for £550,000.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact agents Savills on 01865 339700 or visit savills.com