IN town or out, this week we are looking at a selection of homes to rent which have that little extra about them… character.

And they don’t come with much more character than our first pick, Hayrose, an end terraced cottage in a rural location in Skelton Lane, Wigginton.

Interestingly, although this is a home with lots of charm and feature touches, it is a comparatively modern property, having been built in 2009 (best of both worlds, as it were).

The charm begins with a superb living room, a good-sized space which features a Much Wenlock cast iron multi-fuel burning stove set in a brick fireplave with tiled hearth and with a fine beamed ceiling. There is a smart dining kitchen with a range of fitted base and drawer units under wood block effect laminate worktops – and appliances including cooker, washer and dishwasher.

On the first floor there is a bedroom and bathroom – and a second bedroom with ensuite bathroom can be found on the second floor. Outside space included a garden to the front and graveled area to the rear. The rental is £695pcm, interested parties apply to Stephensons.

The same agent also has another character rural home in the shape of East Lane Cottages, at Shipton by Beningbrough, an attractive and recently modernised terraced cottage. This one features a large lounge and dining area and a refurbished kitchen with new appliances. There are three bedrooms and a bathroom set over two floors and gardens to front and back. This one is offered at a rental of £725pcm.

We are off to Acomb next, to sing the praises of The Old Chapel, in Front Street, which is exactly what its name suggests, a converted chapel, retaining many character features and styling. It has a large double bedroom, a bathroom and living/dining room and kitchen – which has a range of appliances including gas hob and oven, a useful under counter larder fridge with ice box and a washing machine. It is offered by Letters of Distinction at a reasonable rental of £575pcm.

Our fourth out of town property – although the good folk of Stamford Bridge might dispute that “out of town” label – is also on the books of Letters of Distinction. It is in a good spot in a large and thriving village with lots of amenities and much sought after in its own right, and where better to enjoy that village life than in a superb two-bedroomed apartment in the iconic Cornmill, a super mill conversion which has now matured nicely into its surroundings. Here you will find a sitting room with original exposed beams a fully fitted kitchen with a good range of appliances including fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and electric oven with gas hob. The bedrooms include a large double with en-suite shower room and a three-quarter bedroom and separate bathroom.

The apartment has great views, access to communal gardens and private parking. “Viewing a must,” conclude the agents and we agree. The rental is £625pcm.

If you fancy city centre living rather than village life then here is a trio of apartments to rent in York, allowing you access to all the city has to offer.

The first is an individual and eye-catching property in Spurriergate, a good spot handy for the train station and all the city centre has to offer.

It boasts an open plan lounge/dining room and attractive fully fitted kitchen with a range of appliances including fridge, freezer, dishwasher, microwave and oven and hob. There are two good bedrooms and a smart contemporary bathroom with separate walk in shower cubicle.

A great city pad in a good spot, enjoying communal gardens, it is offered by City Lets at a rental of £710pcm.

And our next choice is another city-slicker’s dream, a brilliant duplex apartment in St George’s Keep, Clifford Street. This is a home which is close to the action but in a nicely tucked away spot. Beautifully presented and stylishly laid out, it offers an entrance hall with cloakroom off, an open plan lounge/dining area and kitchen with integrated appliances and two double bedrooms, both with en-suite shower rooms.

Offered furnished, the rental is £895pcm – contact Linley and Simpson on this one.

Finally, in our last but definitely not least spot, we have a delightful and somewhat unique home in Barbican Mews, again handily placed for the city centre but in a quiet spot for when you want to get away from it all.

A pretty property, it offers a light and bright living room, two bedrooms and a smart kitchen set out in high white and with a range of appliances available (furnishing is optional). There are two top reasons for looking at this particular apartment – it has both an attractive, private outdoor space and allocated parking (a double which is pretty rare this close to the city centre). It is offered by City Lets at a rental of £675pcm.