A family home is where precious memories are made, from celebrating first steps to graduating at university. The perfect home for your family is one that is close to great schools, supports the lifestyle your family loves, and has enough space for your children to grow into. A forever home is one that will take you through generations, adapting to the needs of your family over the years. Reception rooms need to be flexible, as playrooms develop into studies for homework and projects, while nurseries become reading rooms or home offices and the kitchen will always be the heart of the home, for the family to gather while dinner is being prepared. With this in mind, we have collated the top dream family homes from around the world, available on the market right now.

1. Swansea, Wales, 4 bedrooms

If an equestrian, private, family home is your dream property then Cwmdulais cottage is the one for you. This wonderful four-bedroom family home offers approximately five acres of grounds, superb equestrian facilities and is situated in a perfect rural setting with far-reaching forestry and rolling hill views. What was once three cottages is now a spacious family home, with an open-plan social kitchen, breakfast and dining room, a lounge and an orangery for moments of peace or relaxation. Outside, find a summer house with a hot tub and BBQ area for entertainment, all beside a manège, stabling and paddocks for the horses.

Ideal for: Families who love the outdoors and the equestrian lifestyle.

2. Gauteng, South Africa, 6 bedrooms

This exceptional family home is the result of a conceptualised dream home delivered with design excellence and underpinned by exquisite interior design. This imposing modern-day residence boasts an outstanding, spacious open-plan ground floor that connects every room and allows family members or guests to effortlessly flow from one space to the next. Sliding doors on the ground floor open to the terrace where you will find an outdoor swimming pool and bar area for a family to live a holiday lifestyle and enjoy entertaining guests.

A home automation system simplifies life in the home, whilst also benefitting from an energy modelling system that is highly energy-efficient.

Ideal for: Families who love to have friends over and enjoy the outdoors.

3. Sompting, West Sussex, 5 bedrooms

Originally listed in Norman times, this spectacular Grade II Listed home has been passed through generations of families thought to be descended from William the Conqueror. Over years of exploring and growing up, children will continue to unearth the home’s history in the five acres of gardens, as well as play sports or the ultimate game of hide and seek with friends.

With five adaptable reception rooms and multiple family home features, children can learn to swim in the indoor swimming pool, parents can help with homework in the generous study room and teenagers can learn to drive on the incredibly long driveway.

Ideal for: Family parties and games of hide and seek. 

4. Gauteng, South Africa, 5 bedrooms

Situated in Bryanston West’s most sought-after avenues, around the corner from the Bryanston Country Club, you will find this family home, recently completed to a high specification. Open-plan living on the ground floor enables families to spend time together while parents to cook or relax in one area and children play in another. To allow parents to enjoy their grown-up time, a separate cinema or playroom completes the ground floor. Whilst parents enjoy a sleek spa bathroom, the children benefit from spacious rooms, a pyjama lounge and a built-in homework station.

Outside, the family can enjoy even more areas for socialising on a spacious covered patio with built-in braai and an outdoor lounge and dining area overlooking the landscaped garden with a heated pool and Jacuzzi, jungle gym and a built-in conversation fire pit.

Ideal for: Parents who entertain and love spending time as a family.

5. Setúbal, Portugal, 5 bedrooms 

This stunning farm in the heart of Serra da Arrábida is only 40 minutes away from Lisbon and only a few minutes from international schools and the most beautiful beaches on the Portuguese coast. Centrally positioned in the farm is an exceptional, modern villa with two living rooms, five suites, a kitchen and an office. The long balcony and multilevel terrace areas, including one with a swimming pool, offers further space for socialising or relaxing while looking out to the stunning views towards the Serra da Arrábida.

Ideal for: English or international families looking to relocate to Portugal or to acquire a luxury family holiday home. 

6. St Martin, Jersey, 5 bedrooms 

Carteret House is situated in one of the finest coastal locations on Jersey’s North East coast, enjoying a commanding cliff-top position with far reaching views of the French coast. The home also enjoys views of protected native woodland with a private winding pathway leading down to a rocky cove, making it a truly special place to grow up.

The high building specification ensures an easily maintained environment with all the modern-day conveniences and the ground floor reception space is vast, providing enough space for socialising with groups of friends and family or focusing on work in the office. If all of this was not enough, there is a detached six-car garage block with staff or guest accommodation above which is cleverly connected to the main house by a spacious glazed passage.

Ideal for: Families who love the water, the outdoors and hosting parties for their friends.  

7. Altea, Spain, 7 bedrooms 

Set in a securely gated, private urbanisation with restricted access, residents will feel safe here with their family as they make use of tennis and paddle courts, playgrounds, cafes, a post office, a new five-star hotel with a rejuvenation clinic, spa and gourmet restaurants. This is truly a house of excellence, in which one can let go of all worries and responsibilities with an incredible self-cleaning saltwater pool, tennis court, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, gym and entertainment area, soundproofed cinema room, wine cellar, a private, fully equipped and furnished beauty and hairdresser salon, plus separate staff quarters.

Ideal for: A family holiday home to truly take a relaxing break in an idyllic setting.

7. Carlisle, Cumbria, 7 bedrooms

This magnificent Grade II Listed country residence of great distinction is situated on the banks of the River Eden, set within more than 34 acres of extensive gardens and grounds with a swimming pool, tennis court, parkland style stock-fenced paddocks and mature woodland to explore and play sports in. From the home there are many places for walking, including a beautiful public footpath up the river Eden. Armathwaite Place is a substantial home with seven bedrooms, five reception rooms and additional converted outbuildings, providing ample space for a family to grow and flourish.

Ideal for: Families who enjoy country living with an interested in keeping horses or other animals.

8. Lisbon, Portugal, 6 bedrooms 

Situated in the trendy and exclusive area of Principe Real is this modern home providing spacious family living in the city of Lisbon, completely refurbished but with the original exterior. In this neighbourhood, there are many schools and universities nearby to provide excellent education throughout the different stages of a child’s life. 

The ground floor comprises considerable open-plan living space where a family can always be together. Bi-fold doors open the ground floor further, providing access to the garden and terrace areas for alfresco dining and socialising, while children play on the swing set and are safe from falling into the raised and fenced off swimming pool. In addition to five bedrooms, an office, a gymnasium, 10 suites and a gallery, there is a maid’s room and service room to assist with taking care of this splendid home.

Ideal for: Families to grow up comfortably in the city.

9. Poole, Dorset, 4 bedrooms 

Bordered on one side by the lush woodland of the Luscombe Valley Nature Reserve, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is this perfect family home, offering sanctuary from the outside world. This property benefits from multiple areas for relaxing or entertaining across two floors and on the terrace areas. Tempering the tranquillity of Luscombe's surroundings, Poole's celebrated, almost land-locked harbour is a year-round natural playground and children here can grow up with sand between their toes as strolling on sandy beaches is part of your everyday experience.

Luscombe also benefits from being positioned alongside a championship golf course to entertain the golf-lovers of the family.

Ideal for: Families who love the beach and water sports.

10. Tamarin, Mauritius, 6 bedrooms

This sublime luxury villa is set in the heart of an exclusive Tamarin golf estate, nestled on a hillside with a stunning view over the estate and mountains. Internally, the property has been completely renovated and furnished, and there is space for staff, so that everything is completely taken care of.

The main villa offers the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor living as the spacious living and dining room opens onto the terrace and overflow pool. An independent guest house with two bedroom suites treat guests to comfort, luxury and their own space on their visit. Families can come together on the social terrace areas by the pool for coffee in the morning or elaborate dinners in the evening.

Ideal for: Families who love to relax.

11. Selby, North Yorkshire, 6 bedrooms

Paddock House is an exquisite family home set in 0.9 acres of stunning gardens along with a one-acre fenced paddock and orchard with picturesque views over rural countryside. The home throughout offers superb attention to detail in its design and appliances to support modern living. 

The ground floor offers a multitude of open-plan living space designed for the family to always be together or to provide the ultimate space for entertaining lots of friends and family. Double French doors from the dining area open onto a large garden room, which gives access to a fabulous indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi with shower room.

Ideal for: Sociable families with an equestrian interest.

12. St Brelade, Jersey, 7 bedrooms

For a sophisticated residence with spectacular sea views, look no further than Le Val Lodge, an exquisite coastal home set within beautiful, landscaped gardens. Remodelled from end-to-end in 2017, Le Val Lodge now offers spacious and well-designed accommodation for family living, with elevated sea views and an easy-to-use home automation technology.

The ground floor reception rooms allow for both indoor and outdoor living, with bi-fold and French doors leading out onto the south-west facing terraces. With a wealth of space, exceptional views, close access to the beach and outdoor features such as a heated outdoor swimming pool and tennis court, a family is sure to have everything they want and more.

Ideal for: Families who love spending time at home and the outdoors. 

13. Jalon, Spain, 5 bedrooms

One of the key features of this home, a stunning gourmet kitchen with central island, breakfast counter and a bespoke matching dining table, is more than a chef´s delight and is perfect for cooking whilst entertaining, but also where the whole family can spend time together, relaxing in the sitting area, doing homework or using it as an office area.

This unique villa particularly comes to life at night with plenty of lighting and areas for socialising. The outside areas have been designed to enjoy Mediterranean living to the full for both children and adults alike, including a saltwater pool with slide, sunken built-in Trampoline, children´s play-area with swings, slide and patio terrace for games, a summer kitchen and entertainment area and multiple spaces for alfresco dining in an enclosed tropical paradise. There is also a Guest House Annex, which is perfect for independent family members or for live-in staff.

Ideal for: The ultimate second family home or for full-time living.

14. Hotham, East Riding of Yorkshire, 8 bedrooms 

Situated in beautiful grounds, in one of the most desirable villages in the region, this property is perfect for the family who love to entertain. With an open-plan kitchen and seven reception areas on the ground floor, including a mixture of open-plan or closed-off rooms, there is plenty of space for everyone in the family to disperse separately or to come together in one space.

The garden offers another escape with a large entertaining patio and an outdoor swimming pool. Additionally, with two adjoining cottages, the property could provide a significant annual income or support another family member.

Ideal for: A family who loves to entertain and multigenerational living in one of the separate cottages. 

15. West Ella, East Riding of Yorkshire, 4 bedrooms

No expense has been spared in creating this ultra-high specification property wrapped in the charm of this historic house. The fully-equipped bespoke kitchen features an integrated breakfast table and benches, ideal for gathering in the morning. On the rest of the ground floor, there are four receptions, which can all be closed off to allow family members to have time to themselves and an exceptionally large utility room to ensure storage, dirty washing and muddy boots from outside can be kept out of the recently completed, pristine home. Above the garage, separate from the house, is an annexe, which would be suiteable for independent teenagers, other family members or guests.

In addition to being situated in a conservation area and one of the most desirable villages in the region, the property is close to good local shops and schooling in nearby villages, as well as private and comprehensive schooling within a short driving distance. 

Ideal for: Families with teenagers who love to host guests.

16. Todmorden, West Yorkshire, 6 bedrooms

Located in the popular Calder Valley town of Todmorden is this substantial period property presenting versatile accommodation, ideal for a large or extended family. The layout of this home presents an interesting opportunity to create a self-contained annexe, leisure or business suite without compromising character or orientation of the main living areas, serving additional family members, independent teenagers or family members needing space to work from home. 

A multitude of closed off reception rooms, including a library, home office, studio, dining room, games room and sitting rooms ensures there is a space for everyone. Dawson Weir House also benefits from being a highly commutable house as it is only a five-minute walk to a railway station and highly regarded schools.

Ideal for: Independent families who enjoy their space as well as coming together in the social areas of the home.

17. Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, 5 bedrooms

This old-country style house offers character and charm to the exterior, whilst benefitting from a complete renovation to the interior and gives residents a feeling of being on holiday in their own home. The wonderful view of fields and meadows, the many stone walls, the Tuscan-inspired outdoor swimming pool, spacious garaging and remaining building options poses this property as an ideal holiday home for up to three families or for multigenerational living. The home can be enjoyed all-year-round; in winter, cosy up by the fireplace and in summer, splash around in the swimming pool. 

Ideal for: Multigenerational living or group family holidays.

18. Bossington, Kent, 12 bedrooms

This magnificent Grade II Listed residence hosts ten reception rooms including a gym, games room, snug rooms, dining areas, a studio, home offices and sitting rooms to accommodate all forms of family living. If residents are looking for a quiet read, they can take refuge in the library, while the children play in the family room. This home also benefits from plenty of storage: a must for a large family home. 

The charming hamlet of Bossington is close to the village of Adisham which includes a primary school that is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a railway station as well as a livery stables for equestrian interests. The railway station in Canterbury, a UNESCO world heritage site only a few miles away, offers a high-speed rail that gets you to London within an hour, ideal for working parents who value being at home in the countryside.

The three-bedroom self-contained adjoining cottage is perfect for guests or live-in family members who seek independence. 

Ideal for: Multigenerational living, families who love to entertain and parents who work in London, but adore the country life.

19. Grand Baie, Mauritius, 5 bedrooms

This stunning five-bedroom villa in Mauritius is ideally located in a secure complex, in the heart of Grand Baie, ensuring residents always feel safe and relaxed with family. This sumptuous colonial style waterfront villa offers a fantastic view on Le Coin de Mire island and the ocean.

In addition to spacious reception rooms, a fully-equipped kitchen and terrace areas, the basement consists of a playground, an office and a work-out room to suit every family members’ needs. The property is particularly suited to those who love the water as it benefits from direct access to the beach, a boat ramp and the lagoon swimming pool.

Ideal for: Families who love everything about the beach and the sea.

20. Algarve, Portugal, 4 bedrooms

For families seeking a life of sun, space and a great location, this three-bedroom property is the perfect home to relocate to, providing space in the one-bedroom annexe for visiting friends and family. With nearly six hectares of vineyard, an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court and one of the most beautifully landscaped, mature gardens of the area, there is plenty of space for children to run around, play and explore. Additionally, this home is ideal for someone with equestrian interests.  

The location of this property could not be better, as it is closely located to Porches and is only a two-minute drive from the local International School.  

Ideal for: Families looking to relocate to Portugal and with an interest of keeping horses. 

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Are you on the hunt for your dream family home? Find your local agent to discover plenty of homes that suits your family’s lifestyle today. 

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