If you have financial help from your parents...

We had help & have no issue admitting it, it's pretty common.

Just say you had help & leave it vague. People can look up prices on Zoopla etc

Just shut down any questions.

"I'm very happy that my situation works for me"
"I don't enjoy discussion finances"
"Yes, I'm happy with the house. Anyway enough about me, how are you?"

People don't ask questions like that. They really don't. I'm assuming you're not waltzing around telling everyone that you've just moved into a 750k house when you work p/t on min wage.... if you do, well, more fool you. If anyone does ask such a spectacularly rude question, you just say, yes, mum and dad helped us a bit, we're really lucky, anyway, do you like the kitchen / shall I put the kettle on / how about those Dodgers?

Could you say you had some help from inheritance from a relative? technically true and would explain if the property isn’t in line with what people would assume (even tho they shouldn’t) you could afford

and you’re fortunate to only need to have a small mortgage. People are so nosey

I bought my first flat with help from my mum. I didn't tell anyone hee haw because it was none of their business. And no-one really asked. I think they just assumed I must have secured a mortgage.

I also now don't have a mortgage but don't talk about that in real life.

You don't need to tell people you're mortgage free but I'd be honest and say your parents helped. In all the years I had struggling to get a deposit together I found it really annoying that there were friends who never just said that and instead acted like it was this great achievement of theirs. Like mate, you're a part time yoga teacher who has spent the last 3 years travelling, I know you didn't buy this £600k house yourself.

Weirdly I was talking about this with a friend's last night, but from the mum and dad side. They are in a great position financially and have helped their kids out with houses and doing them up over the past 5 years.

As others have said, you can simply be evasive if people ask. Acknowledge you had some help from your parents but it's perfectly fine to not elaborate on how much or that you are mortgage free.
If friends are being too nosey about it just tell them it's none of their business.
For what it's worth, I live in a house technically far to big for me. If I invite a new friend over for the first time to visit, part of me is always a little apprehensive at what their reaction might be. The reason I could afford this house was because it was a total mess, and I've spent years fixing it. I sometimes explain that, other times I don't. Friends get used to it eventually.

One thing I would say. If you are able to, do something nice and unexpected for your parents every so often. It means the world to my friends when their kids show their thanks this way. Doesn't need to be expensive or even financial at all.

You don’t have to tell anyone anything about your finances. But if you wanted a stock answer to such questions then just say something like “my parents have helped” - you don’t need to say how or how much.

It's a sorry state of affairs when people feel they can't be open about owning a house outright. Please don't let your anxiety about how other people will feel ruin this for you. You know you're fortunate, that's all that really matters.

People are rude. Answer with non answers

did you get a mortgage?
it's the usual way if things, oh look a squirrel

how did you afford it?
Stopped eating avocado and canceled Netflix 189 years ago

How much did you pay for it?
Haha, let's just say I'm not buying a round of drinks any time soon

Why would you have to tell them anything? Do people actually ask such intrusive, personal questions? Anyone who asked me such personal questions would be getting short shrift!

This.

Just tell them sorry but really it’s none of your business

“I’m lucky the bank of mum and dad have helped me get on the housing ladder. I know that I’m incredibly fortunate to have some help”

Try to put a little bit of money towards it (even £100) as then you can honestly answer questions about them helping you to buy, rather than giving you a house. You can fudge how much by saying you used your savings and they helped with the rest. If people ask how much just say your parents are rather private about money matters and you’d rather not say. So basically don’t lie, but fudge.

Good friends don’t ask nosey questions like that. They be pleased that a friend is doing well. I would say nothing. Are if anyone does ask just say your parents helped you. You don’t need to go into full details