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HOME, HOUSE AND FACILITIES There are many different types of housing in Britain, ranging from the traditional thatched country cottages to flats in the centre of towns. Houses are often described by the period in which they were built (e.g. Georgian, Victorian, nineteen thirties, or post-war) and whether they are terraced, semi-detached or detached. As well as preferring houses to flats, for many people a garden is also an important consideration. Terraced houses are usually found in inner cities. They are built in long rows where each house is attached to the ones on either side. In recent years, many terraced houses have been renovated, central heating has been added, and other improvements have been made. Semi-detached houses have been built in large numbers since the nineteen thirties, when Britains towns and cities expanded into suburbs. Each house is part of a pair and is joined on one side to its partner. The semi usually has a small back and front garden, three bedrooms, and a small bathroom. |
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It is the most popular type of house in Britain. The detached house stands by itself, usually with a garden all around it. These houses are much more expensive and are often owned by professional people. Most detached houses are situated in suburbs or in the green belt. Some large cities, particularly London, also have a commuter belt, so called because the professionals who live there travel, or commute, three or four hours a day to work into the city by car or train. Britain is famous for its country cottages which were often built on the country estates of wealthy landowners. The workers on the estate rented the cottages from the landowner and worked on the land. Cottages have low ceilings, wooden beams, and sometimes a thatched roof. In recent years, some cottages have become second homes, bought by professionals during the economic boom of the nineteen eighties. A bungalow is a small house in which all the rooms are on the ground level. |
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In Britain, large groups of bungalows are often built together on the edges of towns or in places where people go to live when they have retired from work, such as the south coast. Many people find these groups of bungalows boring to look at. The town house can be found in the inner areas of most cities. There is a great variety regarding both design and use. They often have three or more floors, perhaps including a basement or semi-basement. Although they are usually terraced, those that are well-preserved and in a good area may be thought highly desirable. Many town houses have been broken up into flats or rooms for rent. Most of the comparatively small number of people who rent from private owners live in flats of this kind. |
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