It is simply the transfer of ownership of a parcel of land. Provided you comply with certain formalities, it is not much more different than buying anything else and you could simply hand over the cash to the seller without involving lawyers. However, that is usually not a great idea :

• Because of the sums involved, you might think it better to involve a solicitor who can check that the person you are paying is not only the person who is able to sell but also has the right to do so. If he is not, you could well end up with nothing for your money.
• It is largely a question of you buying what is offered (“let the buyer beware”). A solicitor can carry out investigations to check what legal rights exist that you might need (eg a right of access from the road to the front door) or others have (eg a right for your neighbour to walk across your front garden to access their property). We can also review relevant planning and other such issues – are the drains connected to the main sewer; will a new road be built in the immediate vicinity. We can clarify the position with boundaries, fixtures and fittings. If these matters only come to light after you buy, you cannot usually do anything but accept them.
• If those formalities are not dealt with properly, your ownership can be challenged.
• Lenders will want to ensure all these matters have been dealt with by a conveyancer.

The purpose of using a conveyancer is to ensure you know exactly what land you are buying, and that the process of handing over a good deal of money actually ends with you owning that land. Of course, you are likely to be much more interested in the house built upon the land but that is actually of very limited importance from the legal perspective. It is just something which usually changes ownership with the land to which it is attached.

You and your conveyancer should carry out the conveyancing process as a team. That involves working together at all stages to maximise

We would normally start the conveyancing process itself at the point the Estate Agents or yourself confirm you have made an offer to buy which has been accepted. However, it is often sensible to inform us as early as possible, if only for information purposes. In that way, we can let you know of any developments which you might want to take into account (eg changes to Stamp Duty rates or tax law), or discuss with you other factors which might impact on the timings.

Yes, it is likely that you will need to pay stamp duty.  The current stamp duty “holiday” only applies for properties with a value of up to £250,000, and this arrangement is due to end on 30th September 2021.