We would like to share ten of our most unusual and unique international properties currently on the market…

1. Hammock above the pool

2. Pool with unexpected shape

3. Elephant in the garden

4. Seven dwellings

5. Designed by Norman Jaffe

6. Six-floor Manhattan house with incredible views of Central Park

7. Townhouse in the sky

8. Philippe Starck loft

9. Very white

10. Old biscuit factory

We would like to share ten of our most unusual and unique international properties currently on the market…

1. Outdoor Jacuzzi with stunning views

2. Is wall tagging a new trend in home design?

3. This cottage looks like it’s straight out of a Brothers Grimm tale

4. This villa could make the cover of Elle Decor

5. Contemporary masterpiece

6. Enjoy a cocktail at the bar by the pool

7. African colonial designed villa

8. Unique trullo to refurbish

9. Turkish travertine, limestone and granite finishes

10. Dramatic high ceilings

Everyone knows where Middle Earth is, don’t they? Tolkien’s magical, mystery world, with hobbits, wizards and a lost ring – somewhere in New Zealand, apparently. 

But, there’s another Middle Earth. And you don’t have to fight an army of orcs to live there either. 

So where is it? Barbados.

Forget Lord of the Rings, this is the sort of house that other fantasies are made of. Built in 1975, it’s surrounded by tropical forest and overlooks Chalky Mountain (which sounds rather more pleasant than Mount Doom). With pickled wood floors and curved, sculpted walls, three acres and a pool, tropical Middle Earth wins hands down.

I know it’s something I should have grown out of at around six year old, but I still harbour dreams of living in a fairytale castle.

And I just so happen to have come across this castle in Italy, which looks perfect for any would-be princess.

The castle dates back to 1350, but its fort dates even further back, to 950 AD. It’s been restored twice since (most recently in 1998).

Situated in the heart of Lazio and 50km from Rome, you get countryside living (and a heck of a view) but the benefit of the city only an hour away.

There are seven bathrooms and nine bedrooms, comfortably sleeping 19, so you can round up your friends to come and stay.

And it’s possibly even better than any castle inhabited by Sleeping Beauty or Rapunzel – after all, they didn’t have a swimming pool or their very own tavern in their castle.

If you’re a book lover, and you don’t have £5 million to spare, I suggest you look away now. Because you’re about to fall in love with this New York apartment.

The Hotel Des Artistes is located just off Central Park and is one of Manhattan’s most sought after co-operatives.  

However, this isn’t your typical co-op building: it was designed by George Mort Pollard in 1916 and the apartment for sale has 12 rooms, including a three-room master suite and three further bedrooms. 

But really, there’s only one room we’re talking about here. And that’s the library, home to 2500 books. And next to the library is a wine ‘cave’ – what more would one need to wile away an evening than a good book and a glass of red? 

There’s an office too, although why you’re not working in the library is beyond me. It looks like a room where great novels are written. Or, at the very least, you might get round to finishing the cryptic crossword in Sunday’s paper. 

We have selected our most unique and interesting properties of the week. Let us know which one you like best…

1. Tropical setting

2. Manor constructed by Louis Renault, founder of Renault cars

3. Villa in Ibiza with club room

4. Maple flooring

5. Four and a half bathrooms

6. Apparently the sixth most expensive property in South Africa

7. Near the Champs Elysees

8. Six fireplaces

9. Architectural masterpiece

10. Art collection