Hobbit holes, narrowboats and lighthouses: Leeds's dream homes

Almost a quarter of Leeds property owners would love to live in a 'Hobbit house'.
A Hobbit houseA Hobbit house
A Hobbit house

A survey by interiors retailer Curtains questioned local residents on their ideal home.

And the small, underground Hobbit holes with circular entrances inhabited by the characters in J R Tolkien's classic novel came fifth in a list of the top 10 unconventional domestic fantasies.

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Topping the charts was a traditional thatched cottage, which 30 per cent of respondents cited as their dream property. Twenty-three per cent were keen on a sustainable 'eco' home, while in third place was a converted chapel or church.

A thatched cottageA thatched cottage
A thatched cottage

Other popular choices were log cabins, glass houses, converted barges or narrowboats, urban micro-apartments, floating homes and lighthouses.

The research also probed Leeds respondents on their favourite home features if money and space were no object.

The most coveted feature was a country farmhouse kitchen, which was favoured by 38 per cent of those quizzed. Close behind were swimming pools, spas, walk-in wardrobes, cinema rooms, converted outhouses, libraries, man caves, hidden rooms, wine cellars and outdoor hot tubs. Less popular were games rooms, model railway showrooms, golf ranges, gyms and garden rooms.

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The survey found that 50 per cent of house moves in Leeds are determined by location, with most people dreaming of a quiet, rural setting. A large garden was the second most important factor in choosing a new property - although 46 per cent said they would sacrifice space for a premium location. Less that 20 per cent of Leeds residents claimed school catchment areas, commuter transport links and crime rates were decisive factors.

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