People will pay more for a period property. For years, this baffled me. “Why pay extra for a house that has a downstairs bathroom, needs endless repairs, and has had someone die in it?” I’d wonder. “Nostalgia must be one hell of a drug.”

I now know that many homebuyers think about resale value, and the joy of waking up in a high-ceilinged room flooded with daylight from sash windows. For buying to let, there are generous room sizes and the potential for modification to maximise occupancy. But what these future landlords don’t think about enough is plug sockets. How is any modern human meant to survive with only two double plug sockets per room? Don’t get me wrong, I like an ornate fireplace, but the mounting tension in the living room over who unplugged whose phone puts its beauty into perspective.

Still, why choose between modern convenience and heritage charm? This five-bed, 19th-century cottage requires no compromises. With its oak beams, a brick fireplace and carved spindles on the bannister, it is full of traditional delights. And it offers contemporary comforts: a breakfast bar, a private drive, an en-suite bathroom and the greatest luxury of all – plug sockets with integrated USB ports. Peace comes in many forms – and a socket that can handle four devices is one of them.