Sounds like the building settled but older buildings often have. The thing is working out if it was historical. If it happened when the house was built but hasn't changed in years then nothing to worry about- just cosmetic improvement needed. Ask the seller if they have documented proof ...... Perhaps it was mentioned on their survey when they bought. If the movement is recent then the seller should claim on their insurance.

Hi Kadams, It looks like it could be a cracked lintel. What age is the property? Also as Rob points out some houses were built on the assumption the wooden frames would help support the weight. I had a horrible experience shortly after we bought our 1930's house where we discovered a previous owner had widened the previous tall single door in the dining room to double ones without replacing the lintel - they'd just filled the gap with polystyrene then used some painted ply to cover it! (you can see the old lintel higher up in the pic then the gap they left!). We had planned on replacing the door anyway so got some builders in to quote for the new lintel. The lintels themselves aren't particularly expensive: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Steel-Reinforced-Concrete-Lintel-100-x-65-x-1800mm-L05/p/220333 We got several quotes by regular builders for the repairs which were all £350 - £400 and the work only took two of them an afternoon. We then had to pay our plasterer to repair the damage to the exterior render and re-render the interior but that was part of a much larger job. Hope that helps!

What a beautiful house. So pleased you have embraced the age and style of the house rather than deciding to ‘modernise’ it as so many posts on this forum want to do to their homes. The door is a lovely colour - agree with you about using that instead of the white on the surrounding woodwork - I’d use it on the inside of the door too. Crest idea is smashing. I think all it is missing then is some softening up ... I would add some beautifully simple planted larger tubs either side of the porch - I think the box look a bit too restrained & out of proportion - I’d go for white flowers spilling over the edge and silver foliage. Maybe something with height - olive trees? Bay ? Maybe echo the planting in window boxes on the ground floor cills (obviously without the trees!) ? White/silver planting looks smart during the day, but just glows in the evening & in artificial light so ideal at the doorway. More colourful planting would compete with the door, keeping the palette restrained would, instead, complement it.

Hi Dom. Agree with Forza, gravel boards are the best option. You can also get concrete ones that usually slot into concrete fence posts but it may be possible to site them below the fence or just in front. Obviously a bit more work than a wooden one but would be much better if you’re building the soil level up. Legal height for hedging and shrubs? There is none unless it’s facing a public highway where I think it’s either 1.5m or 2m, can’t remember, but in a back garden there is no limit. Saying that I don’t think your neighbours will appreciate trees 20ft high:) don’t plant conifers, particularly Leylandii, you’ll regret it;). Other options are trellis panels on top of the fence and grow climbers....or pleached trees and shrubs which can be expensive to buy and are a little more maintenance as they would need regular pruning to keep them in shape. Since your border is fairly narrow I’d go for the climbers option. Climbing hydrangea would be good if it’s in partial shade, it grows fairly thick but has lovely white blooms. P.s. I think the compost you ordered is little pricey tbh although it looks very good quality. I usually get ordinary multi purpose compost, our local garden nursery sells it for £3.75 per 75litre then I mix it with anything really, top soil, bark chips, manure, then yep....let the worms do their stuff! Hope this helps a little and best of luck with your garden.