HOW would you like to live in one of York’s most intriguing houses, an historic period property right in the heart of the city and within touching distance of the Minster itself?

Well, here’s your chance because Reeds Rains have a superb example of a grand town house to rent, a Grade II Listed property dating back to 1705, in Precentors Court.

This is a brilliant location because while, as we say, it is in the centre of the city it is also in a cul-de-sac and tucked far enough away from the hustle and bustle to provide you with a peaceful haven. (Although, it should be said that if you don’t fancy the sound of the Minster bells on a Sunday morning then this won’t be the place for you).

For most of us, however, this represents something of a dream property – and there is quite a bit of it to dream about.

The grandeur starts on the ground floor where you will find an entrance hallway running down to a sunny kitchen/breakfast room which opens onto the south-facing garden with views of the Minster (now there would be a place to sip your morning coffee).

There is a reception room to this floor but the main lounge is situated on the first floor (possibly to make the most of the views) where you will also find the house’s main bedroom.

On the second floor there is a further bedroom and a large family bathroom.

In hastening our way upwards we neglected to mention another bonus of this house – there is a versatile lower-ground space which would make an ideal home office or a further bedroom.

Lots of charm, lots of character, a wonderful location. Sadly, it comes at a price with Reeds Rains looking for a rental of £1,800pcm.

If your pockets are not quite that deep, fear not – because we have also settled on some other character properties in and around York which also have bags of character and charm but are not quite so expensive.

Staring with a pair of town houses in the fashionable Bishophill area on the books of Linley and Simpson.

The first is in Buckingham Street and is a really pretty, light and bright home which includes traditional touches such as high ceilings and period fireplaces and which is quite beautifully presented throughout.

The house in brief has an entrance hall, dining room with feature fireplace and a living room with a warming log burner and a fitted kitchen with appliances including a cooker, washing machine and fridge freezer. On the first floor there are two double bedrooms with built-in storage and a house bathroom.

Outside you have a private enclosed courtyard and there is on street permit parking. The rental for this lovely home is £850pcm.

Staying in Bishophill we now trip into Hampden Street to find another period terraced house which, as with the one above is an easy walk into the city centre and just ten minutes from the railway station.

Here we have an entrance hall and a through lounge-diner with patio doors opening to a rear courtyard. The kitchen, again, is fully fitted and will include oven and hob, fridge and washing machine. The bathroom is on the ground floor while upstairs there are two double bedrooms. Linley and Simpson are seeking a rental of £795pcm for this one.

A little further out of town but in a great spot on Main Street, Fulford, we find our next character property, a cottage home with some wonderful period features including a striking beamed ceiling in the living room and a large exposed brick inglenook fireplace in the second sitting room.

There is a fitted kitchen, and there is a master bedroom to the ground floor with an en-suite shower room. Two further bedrooms and a family bathroom can be found on the first floor.

The house shares a communal garden and has a storage shed.

Again, plenty of charm – and in a community which has lots of local amenities including pubs and shops and a good bus service into town. Letters of Distinction are seeking a rental of £850pcm.

And in our last but not least spot we have something different – a superb ground-floor flat with the advantage of a pleasant rear garden. It is in Wigginton Road, close to the city centre, Nestle and the district hospital and has lots of charm and character to go with its location.

There is a large living room, a modern, light and bright, fitted kitchen with appliances including electric oven and gas hob and fridge. There is a double bedroom and bathroom.

The private rear garden is for the sole use of the tenant of this flat. A pretty and pretty handy apartment, offered by Letters Ltd at a rental of £625pcm.