TOWN houses come in all shapes and sizes – from the many good old two-up, two-down terraced homes which run around the edges of York to the tall, towering mansions that remind us of the city’s historic grandeur.

And, as a glance at these two featured properties from Churchills reveals, they can come either old or new.

The first of our chosen pair sits in a relatively recent riverside development in Gladstone Street, at the town end of Huntington Road.

It’s a smart and stylish contemporary house which strolls its way across three storeys, providing the space and versatility that’s just right for modern family living.

On the ground floor there is a smart ‘living kitchen’, a heart of the home space ideal for entertaining.

Here you find a full range of modern fitted units with high white wall and base cupboards and drawers with granite work surfaces and a range of integrated appliances including dishwasher, washer-dryer, fridge-freezer and a built-in electric oven with gas hob over – and with plenty of room for dining table and chairs (and with a ground floor cloakroom).

The living room is on the first floor, ideal for making the most of the views of the river and further enhanced by French doors opening onto a balcony – another great spot where you can sit with your morning coffee (or your evening wine).

Across the landing from here there is a good-sized master bedroom with an en-suite shower room.

And then it is up to the second floor where there are two further double bedrooms and a single bedroom/study, served by a house bathroom.

Throughout, this house is beautifully presented, light, bright and stylish and with plenty of room to romp around in.

Room, too, outside where there are attractive terraced areas to front and side and a lawned rear garden with patio area – and there is a garage and driveway parking.

Really smart home, for which Churchills are looking for offers in the region of £375,000.

And now we are toddling off to Bishopthorpe Road to view an equally family-friendly and beautifully presented period town house in a very much sought-after part of town.

There’s a huge amount to admire here, with period pieces and character touches aplenty including high ceilings, cornicing and ceiling roses overhead and exposed wood flooring underfoot.

This is another three-storey home, beginning with a hallway, accessed through an inner door with stained-glass window, off which you find a bay-windowed lounge to the front with an original cast iron fireplace with a period-style surround at its heart.

Next we find a formal dining room with another original cast iron fireplace in eye-catching tiled hearth and surround.

The bright and spacious kitchen has a full range of modern fitted units with matching cream wall and base units under granite work surfaces.

From here you step through to a ground floor bathroom with a free-standing cast-iron slipper bath and wash basin and WC.

On the first floor there are three bedrooms, two with handsome oak flooring and a shower room (although such is the versatility of the layout of this house that one of those bedrooms could easily become a first-floor drawing room or entertaining room).

The top floor provides something of a wow factor in the shape of a large master bedroom with rich Jatoba wooden flooring and French doors which open to a Juliet balcony. From the bedroom there is a door to a contemporary en-suite shower room.

This is a splendid example of a home rich in period character and style – and just to add to the package there is a large rear courtyard with an India stone paved patio area and a large timber-decked area. Churchills have given this one a guide price of £399,995.

In both instances contact Churchill’s York office on 01904 646622.