One of the most influential novelists of the 19th Century Charles Dickens captured the zeitgeist of the Victorian era through intense observation, regularly walking the sooty, cobblestone streets of Victorian London for inspiration, his novels part evocative social documentary, part constructs of a genius imagination.

Stories of abject poverty, cruel workhouses, urban crime and lavish wealth brought to life - sights, sounds, smells - through memorable characters and played out in the colourful, characterful streets of noisy, crowded and wonderfully vibrant Dickensian London.

Below we visit properties that could have taken centre stage in many of his novels - from penny-pinching Ebeneezer Scrooge's lonely London townhouse to a fine Victorian country estate that could have been the seat of wealthy and eccentric spinster Miss Havisham. 

8 bedroom house/B&B in Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswolds

Asking price: £995,000

Currently set up as a B&B there is plenty of room for manoeuvre here in a magical Cotswolds spot. Spanning almost 3,400 sq ft, the versatile layout could easily provide a number of options for alteration to suit a wide range of buyers including a family who might wish to provide an income with ancillary accommodation to let or indeed multigenerational living.

Characterful features can be found throughout the property with a beautiful Victorian tiled hall, fireplaces, sash windows and wonderfully tall ceilings.

2 bedroom historic apartment in Edinburgh's Princes Street

Asking price: £675,000

Widely regarded as one of the best addresses in Edinburgh, this is a rare opportunity to buy a flat in one of Edinburgh’s most impressive historical buildings, set in a central and elevated location beside the esplanade to Edinburgh Castle.

These red roofed, white walled houses were originally designed in 1893 in baronial style by the pioneering town planner and architect Sir Patrick Geddes. This traditional apartment is set high above Princes Street in the heart of the Old Town, with a superb outlook over Princes Street Gardens and over the Firth of Forth.

Grand 6 bedroom home in Guildford with planning permission

Asking price: £1,399,950

Sunny Mount would have welcomed wealthy Victorians when it was built in the 1800's in the bustling market town of Guildford. Still one of the most attractive detached residences in the area, there are plenty of original features to get excited about - from the 12ft high ceilings and decorative coving to the feature fireplaces.

The current property which is in need of significant modernisation has the benefit of approved planning permission to renovate and extend which will result in creating a superb five bedroom detached residence of over 3,300 sq ft.

Sunny Mount has two entrances to the property, one on the ground floor and the other on the lower ground floor. In the current floorplan and proposed extended floorplan, the separate entrances could create a self-contained, internal one-bedroom apartment with kitchenette and bathroom. Ideal for a nanny, guests or older children.

Historic 3-bedroom Wapping riverside townhouse with studio space near the 'The Grapes' pub - Dickens's favourite drinking spot

Asking price: £3,500,000

Set within this distinctive row of early Georgian Townhouses this unique Wapping home offers new owners many opportunities as both a home, or work from home base.

Exposed brickwork, original features and access to a sun-drenched conservatory and separate balcony overlooking the Thames are some of the unique features of this very special East London property in area which would have been filled with the clamour of dockyard workers, children playing in the cobbled streets and bustle of goods being transported to the warehouses lining the Thames.

From the balcony feature spiral stairs lead up to roof terrace, and elsewhere on this (1st floor) a large dining area leads to a good sized family kitchen offering an abundance of morning sunlight.

Bedroom accommodation starts on the second floor, with the majority of the floor dedicated to a large riverside bedroom offering access to a wonderful Riverside roof terrace, separate dressing area, and an-suite bathroom.

Accessed by a staircase dating back to the 18th century, the 3rd floor provides two additional bedrooms, one facing on to the Thames. The commercial unit, re-developed by KMK Architects LTD who have redeveloped a number of neighbouring houses, has a separate entrance and offers a large studio space of 1203 sq ft on the ground floor giving the perfect vista just above the lapping waves of the River Thames. The lower ground floor currently offers a large bespoke storage room and 2 guest cloakrooms.

Granted Grade II Listed Building consent in 1971, parts of the building have existed since the 16th century, and engraving dated 1751 shows the back of the building with a sign ‘wine’, which likely to reference storage, rather than a drinking spot. During the 18th century much of this site and other buildings up to Duke Shore Stairs formed the engineering workshops for Sparkes, the barge builders.

Period family home near Galashiels, Scottish Borders, with 8-bedrooms and permission to create a 'granny flat'

Asking price: £575,000

Built in 1853, Buckholmburn House has huge potential. There is enormous scope to create a really impressive and comfortable family home in the central Borders, within commuting distance of Edinburgh. Its proximity to the Borders Railway makes it especially appealing.

This is a family home full of character with high ceilings, cornicing, solid timber floors, working window shutter and period staircase. Other features of particular note are the two main reception rooms and the well-proportioned bedrooms, all accessed from wide landings with modern bathrooms.

The main accommodation is on three floors, whilst on the ground floor planning permission has been granted to create a self-contained flat using the two existing bedrooms and bathroom, which will be ideally suited as a ‘granny flat’ or bed and breakfast accommodation.

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