When you buy a period property, you might not simply be purchasing a new home – you could also be appointing yourself the custodian of a piece of British history.

Each of these six properties currently on the market has a fascinating connection with the country’s military past.

Delapre House is a Grade II listed property overlooking Bridport in Dorset. It was built between 1795 and 1805 to house cavalry officers, due to the impending threat of a Napoleonic invasion. Building costs were in the region of £7,500, which at the time caused a scandal in Government. The property is now a delightful family home with a guide price of £950,000.

Colton House, in Staffordshire, is believed to have been built in the early 1700s and has served a number of purposes, including as a boys boarding school. The house was once the home of Captain James Gordon Cavenagh-Mainwaring and was used as an Army base during the Second World War.

The Grade II* listed property is now a successful guest house and has a guide price of £995,000.

Thurland Castle, in Lancashire, became one of the last Royalist strongholds attacked by Oliver Cromwell’s troops during the Civil War in 1645. The building was under siege for several weeks, taken by the army and almost demolished.

In 1809 the North family took on the restoration of the castle, with the help of George Webster and Sir Jeffrey Wyatt, nephew to Windsor Castle architect James Wyatt. Most of this work was destroyed by fire in 1876. Some restoration was done before the Lees, an industrial family, bought it in 1885 and made their own additions.

An impressive apartment set over three floors within Thurland Castle is now available at a guide price of £1.25 million.

Pipers, in Buckinghamshire, boasts a Grade II listed wooden figurehead of Admiral Lord Howe at its entrance, taken from the Navy's last wooden warship, HMS Howe, launched in 1860. The current owners of Pipers have carried out major restoration works, including the pitched roof shelter which allows local residents and tourists to enjoy its magnificence.

The impressive country residence, which has seven bedroom and six bathrooms and is set within around six acres, has a guide price of £4.95 million.

Dullingham House, in Suffolk, was originally built for Sir Christopher Jeaffresson in the early part of the 18th century and remained the family home until 1939. The house took on a new and important role during the Second World War, when it became a military hospital.

Set within beautiful walled gardens, the Grade II listed Georgian property is now a delightful family home with a guide price of £2.75 million.

The Manor House, in Somerset,was offered to the Red Cross in 1914 as a military hospital, initially for Belgian solders injured during the First World War. It’s recorded that the War Office contributed the sum of two shillings and sixpence per day towards the maintenance and running of the hospital. Regular concerts were held in the gardens, a private chapel was provided in the grounds and the panelled dining room was turned into a recreation room. In 1915 the hospital facilities were extended in order to accommodate British soldiers. In total, 412 wounded were treated at The Manor House with just a single death.

The Manor House is now a wonderful family home with a guide price of £1.35 million

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