10 annexes perfect for multi-generational living

A third of UK households are made up of multiple generations.

Most of these households are adult children living with parents. But there’s also been a steady rise in older relatives moving in with younger ones.

And while most of us would like to see more of our family, we’re not always keen to share the kitchen, bathroom or remote control.

The solution? An annexe.

It gives independence and privacy, as well as the choice to mix with the rest of the family.

Annexes are a popular choice for grandparents, with the security of family just a door away. They’re also a great way for grown-up children to have their own space while they save up to move out or buy their own place.

Many families are opting for homes with annexes to save money on separate homes. With energy and other household costs on the rise, an annexe can help you pool resources and cut outgoings.

We’ve scoured our listings to bring you some of the very best homes with annexes for sale right now. Let's take a look.

1. Three bedroom house with detached annexe in Penketh, Cheshire: £250,000

A semi-detached red brick house with a gravel driveway and a black front door.

This three bedroom semi-detached home in Penketh is located in a peaceful cul-de-sac and is in impeccable condition throughout.

Beautifully extended and bay-fronted, the property has a gas central heating system, double glazing and a layout over two floors. The ground floor comprises an inviting entrance hallway, a lounge with a charming open fireplace, and a kitchen/dining/family room with real wow-factor. Upstairs, you'll find three bedrooms and a refitted bathroom.

The detached annexe is tucked away at the end of the private rear garden. It’s currently set up for home working but it could easily be a granny annexe or a space for older kids to have more independence.

A small detached annexe located at the end of a garden. There's a patio in the foreground with a path down the left of the lawn leading to the annexe which is sheltered by trees.

Located in popular Penketh, this home sits to the west of Warrington town centre and is surrounded by a wealth of amenities, including shops, eateries and excellent schools. Both Manchester and Liverpool are reachable in under an hour by car and train.

View the listing or book a viewing with Reeds Rains St Helens.

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2. Six bedroom house with self-contained annexe in Richmond, London: £2.6m

A grand two-storey semi-detached house in London. A car is park on the double driveway and steps lead up to the black front door.

This impressive five bedroom period property in Richmond is nestled in a highly desirable conservation area and offers beautifully proportioned accommodation across three floors.

Set halfway between the high street and Richmond Park, the home features a stunning kitchen/dining/family room that opens onto a secluded landscaped rear garden, perfect for family life and entertaining.

This West London home has an exceptional self-contained annexe with a private patio. It even has a separate entrance from Richmond Park Road, where you'll also find a double drop curb for additional parking.

A spacious annexe with a kitchen and breakfast bar on the right, a double bed on the left of the space, and a blue sofa and TV in the far end. There is smart wooden flooring, stylish decor and modern appliances.

East Sheen is a green and scenic location, offering a relaxed lifestyle with easy access to central London. The area is known for its excellent schools, both state and private, and the thriving East Sheen high street is home to a range of shops, cafes, restaurants and gastro pubs.

View the listing or book a viewing with Randall Price.

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3. Three bedroom house with detached annexe in Sheffield, South Yorkshire: £575,000

A large and contemporary open plan kitchen, architecturally designed with wooden flooring and high-end fixtures and fittings. A kitchen island sits in the middle of the room with bar stools, in front of a hanging egg chair and doors to the terrace.

This architecturally designed three bedroom house in Sheffield was built in 2007 to exacting standards.

We love the use of timber, steel and glass to create space and light, while eco-features include a gas fired underfloor heating system via a condensing combination boiler, black uPVC double glazed windows and spray-on foam insulation on the ceilings and under-house.

And just look at that gorgeous open plan living room and bespoke fitted kitchen. This space spills out to the decked terrace with hot tub, fire pit and panoramic views across Sheffield and towards the Derbyshire Moors.

The property boasts a detached home studio, ideal for use as a home office, guest bedroom or annexe for a dependent relative. It has a utility room and the potential to install a WC/shower to create a self-contained annexe, subject to planning permission consents.

The exterior of a modern detached outbuilding next to a modern house in Sheffield.

Perched on the hillside near Meersbrook Park, the Sheffield home is close to artisan shops, restaurants, bars and excellent transport links to the city centre. It’s a 15 minute drive or cycle into Sheffield city centre, which buzzes with urban energy and music culture.

View the listing or book a viewing with Staves Estate Agents.

Living in Sheffield: Area guide

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4. Five bedroom house with ground floor annexe in Scarning, Norfolk: offers in region of £625,000

A large detached red-brick house with a gated entrance and large gravel driveway.

This executive five bedroom family home in Scarning, Norfolk offers the ideal space for versatile living.

The main house features a reception room, a dining room, a kitchen and a utility room. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, including one with an en suite, and a family bathroom.

The purpose-built granny annexe is spacious and well-equipped, with one bedroom, kitchen/diner garden room with vaulted ceiling and a modern wet room. You won’t get any complaints from whoever’s space this will be.

A square shaped kitchen in the annexe with cream units, a two-person dining table with brown leather chairs, light tiled flooring and fitted applicances.

Scarning offers a picturesque and tranquil lifestyle, surrounded by beautiful Norfolk countryside yet well-connected to Dereham's vibrant community and facilities. The historic city of Norwich is a 40-minute drive away, offering old-world charm with a cosmopolitan vibe.

View the listing or book a viewing with Fine & Country - Fakenham.

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5. Two bedroom cottage with detached annexe in Snainton, North Yorkshire: offers in region of £285,000

A country cottage in traditional Yorkshire stone with ivy up the walls and a blue front door. Across the gravel driveway is an outbuilding converted into an annexe.

Nestled in a tranquil North Yorkshire village, Foxglove Cottage is a two bedroom, end-terrace home that exudes charm and character.

The property features a separate annexe, perfect for a range of buyers seeking the peace of village life surrounded by countryside, all while maintaining easy access to York and Scarborough.

The main residence welcomes you with characterful features, including a spacious living room with feature beams and a working fireplace, a dining room, a modern kitchen with a charming window seat, and a family bathroom with a four-piece suite. A unique staircase leads to two attractive bedrooms, while outside is a private lawn and patio area.

The separate annexe has a large bedroom/living room and a WC. It’s currently set up as a home office but could be a great option to share a home with a relative or friend - without getting in each other’s way.

An annexe currently set up as a home office. There's a desk to the left and a black leather corner sofa with red cushions. Guitars hang on the walls and the floor is wooden.

Snainton is a picturesque village boasting two local pubs, a village hall and a primary school. It offers easy access to both Pickering and Scarborough on the A170, North York Moors National Park is a 5-10 minute drive and York is 45 minutes away by car.

View the listing or book a viewing with Hunters - Scarborough.

See more homes with annexes for sale in North Yorkshire

6. Three bedroom house with detached annexe in Whitchurch, Cardiff: offers over £525,000

A modern semi-detached home with a cream facade and modern dark grey windowframes. There's a protruding porch with a light blue front door and a single adjoined garage and double driveway.

This three bedroom home on Athelstan Road in Whitchurch, Cardiff is an extended semi-detached gem, offering three well-appointed bedrooms.

The living accommodation is spacious and beautifully presented, with a porch, hallway, reception room, WC and extended open-plan kitchen-family room on the ground floor. There’s a driveway and large rear garden, providing ample room for family living.

The modern detached annexe is just as smart as the main house, offering bi-folding doors, a VELUX window, ceiling spotlights and laminate flooring. A separate garden room serves well as a home office, gym, games room or bar.

A detached and modern annexe sitting halfway down the garden of a home in Cardiff. There is an outdoor lounge area to the left of the patio and the annexe has double doors with white long curtains wafting out. At the end of the lawn is another outbuilding.

Situated within walking distance to the village and benefiting from great school catchments, this property is in a top location in Cardiff’s suburbs. Whitchurch offers a pleasant and welcoming community, as well as all the local amenities and services you might need.

Cardiff city centre is under half an hour away by car or bus, with its stunning parks, great shopping, vibrant arts scene and thriving foodie culture.

View the listing or book a viewing with Daniel Matthew Estate Agents.

Living in Cardiff: Area guide

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7. Six bedroom house with adjoining annexe in Newton Abbot, Devon: offers over £1.4m

Aerial view of an imposing six bedroom home in Devon surrounded by trees and countryside. The property has a huge gravel driveway, swimming pool and manicured lawns.

The Old Rectory is a six bedroom house in Newton Abbot, Devon, thought to date back to 1830 and presented to an exceptionally high standard. The main house offers spacious and well-proportioned accommodation over two floors, with an additional basement currently used for storage.

The two bedroom annexe adjoins the house and has its own private entrance, gardens and parking. It features an open plan dining/living room with French doors, well-fitted kitchen, galleried landing, two double bedrooms and a shower room. The annexe can be totally separate, but there’s also an interconnecting bedroom which allows for greater flexibility.

A large open plan dining/living room with ornate furniture and large French doors leading to the garden.

Teigngrace is a pretty rural hamlet in open countryside, situated between the glorious Dartmoor and the sandy South Devon beaches. It’s safe to say you’ll never be short of things to do or places to visit around here.

This home is just two miles from the A38, making Exeter, Plymouth and the M5 easy to reach, while the mainline Newton Abbot train station (2.5 miles) has a regular high-speed service to London Paddington in 2.5 hours.

View the listing or book a viewing with Knight Frank - Exeter Sales.

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8. Four bedroom house with self-contained annexe in Langford, Bedfordshire: £450,000 guide price

A modern open plan kitchen with dark units and a breakfast bar on the right and a wooden dining table with chairs on the left. Behind this is French doors to the patio and lawn beyond.

This versatile four bedroom family home has a great one bedroom annexe and is located in the sought-after village of Langford.

The lovingly extended living spaces include a spacious lounge with a wood burner and a generous 21ft kitchen/dining room with modern units and high-end integrated appliances. Upstairs, you'll find three good-sized bedrooms and a fully fitted bathroom.

Sitting in a generous plot, the property has oodles of off-road parking at the front and a lovely lawned garden with paved patio area and open field views to the rear.

The rear lobby leads to the granny annexe, which features an impressive double bedroom and luxury bathroom. There’s a large utility room which has the plumbing to become a kitchen and create an entirely self-contained annexe with any required planning permission.

A rectangular bedroom annexe with cream carpet and walls and wooden furniture. There's a double bed in the corner, a TV mounted on the wall and a brown leather sofa facing it.

The village of Langford is highly regarded and offers local amenities such as convenience stores, takeaway outlets, excellent primary schooling, a large playing field and a village hall. Countryside walks are on the doorstep, making it a perfect location for nature enthusiasts.

For commuters, Langford has excellent access to the A1 and direct trains from nearby Biggleswade reach London Kings Cross and St Pancras in 40 minutes.

View the listing or book a viewing with Harvey Robinson.

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9. Five bed house for sale in Polmont, Falkirk: offers over £489,500

A large detached house built from stone with a white frontage. A driveway runs to the right of the property while a lawn and mature trees surround the house. A patio with comfy seating is next to the house.

This traditional five-bedroom home in Polmont is a rare gem in a desirable location between Falkirk and Linlithgow.

The detached stone-built villa dates back to circa 1890 and has been meticulously upgraded inside and out. High quality modern fixtures blend with original ornate features like bay windows, stained glass windows and original fireplaces.

The large plot features a sprawling driveway, enclosed gardens and a detached single garage, providing plenty of space for outdoor activities.

The self-contained two-storey annexe is reached through the kitchen. It has a large downstairs living room (football theme optional) with access to the garden, and stairs up to the one bedroom and WC. A fantastic option for growing kids or older family members to have independence.

An annexe living room that is decorated with framed football shirts, scarves and other football memorabilia. There is a red sofa bed facing a mounted TV, while stairs behind the sofa lead up to the bedroom and WC.

The village of Polmont enjoys a justified reputation as a desirable place to live. It’s conveniently placed for commuting to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling via the M9/M876 or Polmont train station. There are sought after primary and secondary schools, leisure facilities, supermarkets and recreation grounds nearby.

View the listing or book a viewing with Atrium Estate & Letting Agents.

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10. Two bedroom house with detached annexe in Coalway, Gloucestershire: £385,000 guide price

A cute cottage set amongst mature gardens and trees in the Forest of Dean.

This cute country cottage sits in the picturesque Forest of Dean, perched on the edge of Coalway village in Gloucestershire.

The idyllic property boasts rustic character and original features throughout, with open fireplaces, painted stone walls, exposed timber ceilings and flagstone floors. The bedroom is accessed via stone steps and offers double aspect views over neighbouring fields.

The charming one bedroom annexe is named Rosemary Cottage and sits on the far side of the garden with its own walk-through gate from the driveway. Converted from three former outbuildings, it's built of stone with a slate roof, vaulted ceilings and exposed beams.

The annexe features a good-sized sitting room and double bedroom, both with French doors to the patio area. There’s a shower room and a small inner hall, as well as a large store which is ideal for bikes or gardening tools.

A single storey detached annexe converted from former barn outbuildings. The stone building has a black stable door and the patio has vintage furniture and greenery all around.

This gorgeous location comes with a friendly village community, proximity to the Forest of Dean (literally on your doorstep) and a village shop down the road. The market town of Coleford is a mile away with its supermarkets, cinema and restaurants. Gloucester and Monmouth are both easily commutable via the nearby A4136.

View the listing or book a viewing with Fine & Country - Monmouth.

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