Fine Magazine Spring 2012

STYLE MEETS SUBSTANCE

Daniel Craig talks about this year’s neW bonD MoVie Skyfall

CHALK & CHEESE

Bond is backPREMIUM PROPERTY AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Spring 2012

CELEBriTY iSLANd rETrEATS

85 pages of the UKs most exclusive properties

PLUS: Gadgets, unusual investments and property news

Testing the new Range Rover Evoque

F I N E

Tips on Kitchen Success with

Heston Blumenthal

the finest places to eat, drink, stay...

find us on Facebook | www.milsomhotels.com

Gun Hill, Dedham01206 323150

Stratford Rd, Dedham01206 322795


The Quay, Harwich01255 241212


Hall Rd, Kesgrave01473 333741

Scan the code to discover more online

• Afternoon tea on arrival for all guests• Champagne and canapé reception • 3 course dinner with accompanying wines• Use of bar after dinner• Overnight accommodation in our superb suites• Full English breakfast• Heated swimming pool all year round• Luxury hot tub • Optional booking of the treatment rooms• Fantastic views and complete tranquility

What’s included? Everything!

Take over the hotel with your friends, family or colleagues - all inclusive!

HOUSE PARTIES AT

BOOK NOW: 01206 322367visit www.milsomhotels.com/maisontalboothfor further information

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Spr ing 2012 F ine 3

the finest places to eat, drink, stay...

find us on Facebook | www.milsomhotels.com




The Quay, Harwich01255 241212


Hall Rd, Kesgrave01473 333741

Scan the code to discover more online

• Afternoon tea on arrival for all guests• Champagne and canapé reception • 3 course dinner with accompanying wines• Use of bar after dinner• Overnight accommodation in our superb suites• Full English breakfast• Heated swimming pool all year round• Luxury hot tub • Optional booking of the treatment rooms• Fantastic views and complete tranquility

What’s included? Everything!

Take over the hotel with your friends, family or colleagues - all inclusive!

HOUSE PARTIES AT

BOOK NOW: 01206 322367visit www.milsomhotels.com/maisontalboothfor further information

12001 MH&Rs Fine Magazine ad v1_Layout 1 11/04/2012 18:09 Page 1

4 F ine Spr ing 2012 Spr ing 2012 F ine 5

22

106

ContentsSPRING 2012

REACH FOR THE STARSWith breathtaking views across the golf course and the

sea, the magnificent location was where stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor dreamed of building a home

A PERFECT PROPOSALHe asked her to marry him at Sandhills and they held their wedding at the handsome Victorian house, with its spacious interior and glorious garden26

COVER STORYA Fine conversion – The Tower is

a home with many tales to tell

on page 66


in the regionsproperty types

110 HOME AND THE BROADWith glorious views over the still waters of Oulton Broad, the magnificent home has given them a truly unique lifestyle at the heart of one of Britain’s most beautiful areas

TO THE MANOR BORNAs a boy, he would walk along the canal, gaze at

the exquisite property through the trees, and wonderwhat it might be like to live there12

40 BARN IN THE MODERN WORLDThey walked around the beautiful 17th century barn and realised it could be converted into the most stunning, modern home

10 PERIOD SPLENDOURHigh ceilings, ornate covings

and original fireplaces – period

homes are adored for their

wonderful features

34 BARN IDENTITYExquisite timber-clad structures

that blend into their natural

surroundings or beautiful

brick-built edifices

60 FINE CONVERSIONSWith their historic references and

their unusual features, converted

properties make the most

interesting homes

104 COASTAL & WATERSIDENothing can be more enjoyable

than watching the light dance on

the water as the sun goes down

126 CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVEFrom award-winning, architect-

designed new houses to stunning,

modern apartments

24 HOME COUNTIESThe home counties are

benefitting from money

flowing in from both London

and overseas

46 EASTCurrently there are more homes

on the market than you imagine

so it is crucial to make your home

stand out from the rest

72 MIDLANDSThe Midlands has seen a sense of

equilibrium return, although this

has not been without detractors

in the market

90 SOUTHThe Kent and Sussex countryside

continues to be attractive for

buyers looking to live rurally

whilst retaining access to London

116 WEST & WALESThe prime country homes

market has faired well over

recent years compared to the

core market place

CARIBBEAN QUEENThe owners of The Caimens admit

they were blown away when they first saw the house, which boasts a stunning

indoor pool and leisure area

78


141

FINE FAVOURITES58 SOUTH WALES & CARDIFFShe had always longed for a tasteful home – and Walnut

Tree House now opens up to offer them a delicious,

contemporary lifestyle as well.

84 WEST ESSEXThe owners of The Elms have built a dream family

home, incorporating clever design and environmentally

friendly technology.

89 GERRARDS CROSSBeing able to walk in the parkland and watch the seasons

change will be an incredible experience for whoever

lives here.

113 LEATHERHEADHeading along The Drive, one of the area’s most

prestigious private roads, and turning in to approach the

home, visitors are always impressed by Birchwood House.

124 NOTTINGHAMOn the edge of the pretty village green, with views of

the orchard and paddock, Abbotts Grange is a beautiful

rural home.

FEATURES

08 FINE NEWSAt Fine we have certainly had a very positive start to

the year with an excellent array of new properties, and

a renewed optimism from both sellers and purchasers.

18 FINE INVESTMENT ADVICEA lack of confidence in the financial markets is prompting

people to move into other areas of investment.

33 FINE COMMENTARYFollowing the recent Budget Dean Heaviside of Fine talks

marketing strategy for home movers selling at £2 million

and over.

42 BOND IS BACKAs Daniel Craig concludes shooting Skyfall, Susan Griffin

chats to the 007 actor about the past year and resuming

his license to kill.

54 FINE MOTORINGThe new ‘Baby’ Range Rover is wowing people the world

over with its striking good looks – but is there more to it

than just superb styling?

68 HESTON BLUMENTHAL Famous for snail porridge but addicted to prawn cocktail,

Heston Blumenthal can come across as a bit of a

contradiction. Sarah O’Meara finds out why the kitchen

Boy Wonder’s latest cookbook isn’t just for scientists.

COLUMNS98 A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGSEnjoy our favourite eye-catching accessories for the

home with this list of decadent items.

114 GO GO GADGETTake your pick from this selection of must-have,

luxury technology.

TRAVEL

80 CELEBRITY ISLAND RETREATSExotic hideaways, luxury retreats and exclusive spas

– with money no object celebrities can indulge in the

ultimate escape.

8068

54

98


As the new Managing Director of Fine I am delighted to welcome you to the latest edition of our magazine,

quickly becoming one of the country’s most exceptional and highly regarded lifestyle and property publications. Having worked as both a main board and regional director for Savills, I joined Fine last October, recognising that it

offered and delivered an exceptional level of service and client care that I believe is second to none in today’s challenging market place. Fine is now establishing itself as a company of choice and during 2012 we have plans for the further development of our products and expertise as we aim to deliver an aggressive target of new office openings in order for us to meet the demand for our award-winning service to more markets around the UK.

This spring sees heightened competition between homes for sale, whilst the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and a myriad of major sports events are also vying for our attention. As excitement mounts for an exhilarating few months ahead we take a closer look at property in the capital (page 100), and invite you to explore more than 85 pages of unique and desirable properties for sale across the rest of the UK. Our expanding areas of operation allow us to group some of our favourite homes by location, headlined with market commentary from a range of esteemed property professionals now working for the Fine brand.

Please also take the time to look at our lifestyle sections where we explore holiday destinations of the rich and famous (page 80), discuss the attributes of the undeniably lust-worthy Range Rover Evoque (page 54) and get behind the mind of the incredible Heston Blumenthal (page 68). Alternatively, you can ponder art as an investment (page 18), treat yourself to one of the latest gadgets (page 114) or focus on Buckinghamshire for your next move (page 85).

Finally, it remains to be said that it is our ongoing endeavour to deliver quality editorial and some of the industry’s most stunning photography for every home that we market – the Fine magazine is just one example of how we achieve this. As ever, we value your feedback and if you are thinking of selling your home and want to know more about Fine’s award-winning approach, or indeed if you would like to see your home featured in the Fine magazine, call us on 0845 899 0008.

Chris Charlton BSc.FRICS.FSVA. | Managing [email protected]

Contributors: Dean Heaviside, Kim Dewing, Janice Carter, Hannah Martin, Robyn Williams, Julie Francis, Stephen Wright, Ian Palmer, Hollie Miller, Claire Coetzee, Abigail Saltmarsh, Susan Griffin and Sarah O’Meara.

Photographers: Haakon Dewing, Paige Birnie, Nick Read, Katherine Barnard, Karl Morgan and Nigel Clarke. Cover Image by John Miller.

Fine is published by bloomtide Ltd, Suite 29, Unit 1, Spiersbridge Business Park, Spiersbridge Way, Glasgow G46 8NL. Tel: 0141 621 3900 www.bloomtide.com. © bloomtide Ltd 2012. All rights reserved. All information correct at time of going to press. Reproduction in whole or part (including storage by any electronic means) is prohibited without prior permission of bloomtide. Fine Magazine accept no responsibility for the views expressed by contributors to the magazine.

Advertising enquiriesbloomtide: 0141 621 3900

42

114

Property prices correct at time of going to press.

WELCOME

FINE NEWS

Global economic uncertainty and a weak Sterling have contributed to strong overseas demand for prime property. High levels of competition for the best properties and limited stock levels have helped to increase house prices. The rise in global wealth has been a strong contributing factor, coupled with the fact that many now view property as their preferred asset class. As the wealthy continue to select residential property as their investment of choice, wealth creation looks set to continue apace. The latest Wealth Report by Credit Suisse suggests global private wealth will rise by a further 50% over the next five years.

PriciNg StructurES to ENcouragE riSE In the 2012 budget the Government’s Office Budget for Responsibility (OBR) set out their predictions for house price changes under their detailed summary on the Household Sector. This suggested across the UK only a stable pricing structure up to the end of 2013 thereafter we can once again look forward to price rises from 2.5% up to 4 .5% by 2016 which will allow confidence to factor back into the market and we can look forward to sustainable and yet manageable house price rises. This is set against the background of reducing inflation with both measures CPI and RPI set to fall back over the next 3 to 4 years as we look to economic recovery and rebuilding over that period.

PRICe RISeS fROm

2.5% UP TO

4.5% By 2016

Westminster HAS Seen vAlUe GROWTH Of

AT fIne We HAve CeRTAInly HAd A veRy POSITIve START TO THe yeAR WITH An exCellenT ARRAy Of neW PROPeRTIeS COmInG TO THe mARKeT, And A ReneWed OPTImISm fROm BOTH SelleRS And PURCHASeRS AlIKe.

demand is strongest in the upper echelons of the market and we are witnessing a further polarisation occurring across the value bands. In the year to September 2011 across the country, it was only sales in the very top price bracket, over £1m, which outstripped those of 2007. All the other price brackets saw levels of transactions lower than in the peak year. The recent adjustments to stamp duty in particular raising the rate to 7% on sales at or above £2m is likely to have an early impact on discretionary purchaser’s decision making process but we predict that this will tail off as that tax raise becomes accepted as the norm.

ValuE groWth For PrimE locatioNS While some mainstream markets across the country have weakened, prime housing has proved more resilient. This has been particularly evident in central london where boroughs such as Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster have seen value growth of 9.3% and 9.1% respectively, compared to a fall of -1.0% across england and Wales. The polarisation in the market that we have seen looks set to continue this year.

Our fIne Offices around and within the m25 have seen a strong opening first quarter of 2012 and a rising book of instructions. A sensible readjusting of prices within some of our provincial markets is also now leading to renewed interest levels and viewings. Research suggests that, on average, 20% of property buyers in the home counties come from london with both space and quality of life high on the list of requirements. We have continued to see the home counties benefit from money flowing in from both london

8 F ine Spr ing 2012

9.1%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

125%

SALES IN 12 MONTHS TO SEPT 2011 AS % OF 2007 SALES

UNDER

£150k

£150k -

£200k£200k -

£300K £300k -

£400k£400k -

£500k£500k -

£1m

£1m- £2m

over £2m

% CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS PEAK LEVEL

ENGLAND & WALES

CITY OFWESTMINSTER

RB K&C

LONDON

BELOW PEAK AT PEAK ABOVE PEAK

–15% –10% –5% 0% 5% 10% 15%

-25%

-20%

20%

Northern England Regions Southern England Regions

Prime London Properties-15%

15%

-10%

10%

-5%

5%

0%

YEAR ON YEAR CHANGE IN AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

Jan 07Jun 07

Apr 08

Nov 07Sep

08Feb

09Jul 0

9

Dec 09

May 10

Oct 10

Mar 11

Aug 11Jan 12

SOURCE: PRIMELOCATION AND LAND REG.

don PropertiesPPrime Lone r

and overseas with strong demand from buyers looking for larger properties just outside london, especially near good schools, and with good transport links back into the capital.

The historic ripple affect of rising prices and confidence in the central london market may take longer to push out to the rest of the country but there is no doubt that the best documented research points to that improvement beginning to impact on the UK over the next 2 to 3 years.

In the south of the country in the regions closest to the Capital, average house prices are rising at a rate of 0.6% per annum while in the more northern regions, prices have fallen by -3.5% over the last year. The rate of house price falls outside london’s sphere of influence but regional centres create micro markets pulling buyers to quality property in those areas. We feel that with this price gap between prime london and prime regions growing, the markets outside london will begin to look increasingly attractive and this may well provide a further boost to demand.

FuturE outlookS arE Bright The positive news of recent weeks on the economic outlook, stronger monthly price rises and an increase in mortgage approvals combined with a steady increase in mortgage availability and low interest rates suggest a return of stability. In the latest RICS survey, expectations for price growth have turned positive for the first time in two years.

Collectively, this suggests that a degree of stability seems to be returning to the market once again. However, at fIne, we believe that sensible pricing remains a crucial consideration to ensure maximum exposure, however, with some potential thawing in the market, we feel we can look forward to the warmer seasons with a positive attitude.

20%

SALES IN 12 MONTHS TO SEPT 2011 AS % OF 2007 SALES

% CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS PEAK LEVEL

YEAR ON YEAR CHANGE IN AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

HIGH ON THE LIST OF REQUIREMENTS

of property buyers In THe HOme COUnTIeS COME FROM LONDON With both space and

QUALITy OF LIFE

FINE NEWS

Spring 2012 F ine 9


With a cinema room, pool house and tennis court, beautiful period property Priors is ideal for entertaining, as well as for taking pleasure in a relaxing pace of life

PURE LEISURE

£2,500,000Homes in West essex 020 85040977

oiro £995,000The beautiful medieval house, on its moated site, not only offers superb equestrian potential but is also a wonderful vantage point from which to enjoy the natural worldHomes in Leicestershire 0115 9814509

Guide price £1,375,000Their love of Elizabethan architecture and the incredible history of the 1534 property where Shakespeare once stayed tempted them to make this beautiful house their homeHomes in Buckinghamshire 01908 969129

The Course of True Love

NATURAL OASIS

HIGH CEILINGS, ORNATE COVINGS AND ORIGINAL FIREPLACES

– PERIOD HOMES ARE ADORED AND APPRECIATED FOR THEIR WONDERFUL

FEATURES, UNIQUE STyLE AND ENDURING CHARM. FROM MEDIEVAL

HOMES THAT STILL DISPLAy CARPENTERS’ MARKINGS AND BEAMS MADE

FROM SHIPS’ TIMBERS TO THOSE CREATED IN MORE RECENT ERAS, THE

BEAUTy OF THESE PROPERTIES CAN STILL BE ENJOyED ALONGSIDE A 21ST

CENTURy LIFESTyLE. GEORGIAN HOMES, WITH THEIR MULTI-PANED SASH

WINDOWS, AND WELL-PROPORTIONED ROOMS ARE DESIRABLE FOR THE

SPACE AND LIGHT THEy OFFER. VICTORIAN TIMES SAW THE RENAISSANCE

OF MORE ORNATE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF THE PAST, WITH

INSPIRATION DRAWN FROM THE JACOBEAN, GOTHIC AND ROMANESQUE

PERIODS. THE EARLy 20TH CENTURy, OF COURSE, ALSO SAW THE

APPEARANCE OF THE HANDSOME, SOLID EDWARDIAN HOME AND

THE DECORATIVE ARTS & CRAFTS PROPERTy.

PERIODSPLENDOUR


£1,200,000It has been 23 years since the Joneses first went to view their Grade II listed home and discovered a fabulous period property with a splendid cedar tree in the groundsHomes in Derbyshire 0115 9814509

oieo £1,500,000Paul and Susan Micallef discovered a home brimming with evocative features when they found the Grade II Listed farmhouse, believed to date back 600 yearsHomes in West Essex 020 85040977

£660,000Fifty-one years ago John and Anne went searching for a farm and discovered an idyllic life in their beautiful historic family home overlooking St Brides Valley Homes in Monmouthshire 029 2022 6129

oieo £700,000Steeped in history, Catton Old Hall played an important part in Norwich’s past, and has made a wonderful home and bed and breakfast for its current ownersHomes in Norfolk 01603 622017

HALL OF ACCLAIM

oieo £1,250,000 It is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited timber-framed house in Britain, but for owner Willy White, Fyfield Hall is first and foremost a fabulous family homeHomes in West Essex 020 85040977

oiro £750,000It was a home of romance back in the 19th Century - and then almost 10 years ago the current owners fell head over heels in love with its unique charm and special beauty Homes in Rutland 0115 9814509

HALL OF FAME A TOUCH OF ROMANCE

UNBRIDLED PASSION

Tree of Life TREASURE TROVE


TO THE

MANOR BORNaS a Boy, hE Would Walk aloNg thE caNal, gazE at

thE ExquiSitE ProPErty through thE trEES, aNd WoNdEr

What it might BE likE to liVE thErE


Strolling through his beautiful grounds, into his fabulous

panelled hall and up his impressive staircase, the

owner of Llanwenarth House, still finds it hard to

believe he lives here.

The magnificent Elizabethan country mansion has been his

home for about three years now – but it feels as if he has

known it all his life. “I was always drawn to it,” he admitted.

“I used to walk by the canal and wonder what it would be

like to live there.”

Today it not only has incredible original features but

also wonderful modern additions, such as its stunning

handmade kitchen.


FINE DETAILS

Formerly a boutique hotel, the property dates back to 1532. Much of its character still

remains yet the expansive home also embodies great comfort and ease of living.

Rooms are bright and airy and have been designed with high quality fixtures and fittings.

Chandeliers reflect in gleaming white marble floors. Rooms with wooden panelling in

the style of Hampton Court and ornate fireplaces are now complemented by exquisite

antique furniture, such as four poster beds. “We have a Clive Christian type kitchen, which

is handmade and finished in a Farrow & Ball cream,” he said. “It has polished black granite

work surfaces and gold inlay.” He added: “Everyone who comes here is very impressed by

the detail.”

LIVING HISTORy

Upstairs are great open spaces set beneath the high, vaulted beamed ceiling, which could

be used as bedrooms or leisure areas. “It is simply wonderful up there. you can still see the

original cruck beam, which is thought to have come from a ship’s hull,” he said. “With the

open fire it is absolutely beautiful – and it is amazing to think the timber goes back to before

the house was even built.” Also dating back through the centuries is the coach house, with its

cobbled yard. Here ice and meat were once kept in the cellar but now the building houses a

laundry room. “This does lend itself to any use, however, and would make a delightful place if

converted,” he added.

GLORIOUS OCCASIONS

The house would be simply magnificent for entertaining. Inside, its reception rooms are

spacious and the presence of a second kitchen makes catering easy. “you could have the

most superb parties here. There is surround sound in all the rooms and the grounds would

be perfect for weddings,” he said. “There would be plenty of room for marquees and the

setting lends itself beautifully to the photography.”

DREAM HOUSE

From the linen-fold panelling, high ceilings and deep cornicing in the rooms to being able to

hear the crunch of the gravel as visitors arrive and the sight of boats passing on the canal, life

at Llanwenarth House is just idyllic.


“You could have the most fantastic parties here. There is surround sound in all the rooms and the grounds would be magnificent for weddings.”

Nestled in the Monmouthshire countryside and with

stunning views over the Vale of Usk, is this wonderful

seven-bedroom, 16th Century home. The exquisite interior

includes a beautiful Clive Christian style kitchen and an

abundance of reception space, while amid the six acres

(STMS) of grounds there is a detached coach house.

LocationAbergavennyPrice£2,250,000Property typeElizabethan manor houseContactHomes in Monmouthshire 029 2022 6129

ProPErty dEtailS


THE ART OF

LIVING

It took a year of searchIng but when they saw gracIous and ImposIng grays park

house they realIsed It had huge potentIal and would be Ideal for entertaInIng


The superb, spacious house, with its incredible

period character, together with its extensive,

parkland grounds, gave them the opportunity to

shape a perfect lifestyle. Strolling through the trees and

across the sunny lawns towards their magnificent home,

Margaret and Derek Howarth appreciate every aspect

of life at Colney Park House. Their spacious home, which

dates back to the late 18th Century, is set in approximately

four acres of mature, parkland grounds and comes with a

large outbuilding, which has been used by sculptor Derek

as a workshop. “We originally came to look at it because

of the outbuilding,” said Margaret, who still remembers

seeing the house for the very first time some 28 years ago.

“We found it was ideal but we also loved all the Georgian

features, in the house and the gardens, where there were

some splendid trees.”

PLACE IN HISTORy

Colney Park House is very firmly rooted in the colourful

history of the sought-after village of Radlett. It was built

on land once part of an important local property. “The big

house was about half a mile away and in 1783 was bought

by a man called Charles Bourchier, who was a former

governor of Madras,” Margaret explained.

“This home offers everything you could want for a wonderful lifestyle and really is somewhere to be shared.”

this beautiful, four-bedroom family home

is located along harper lane and has been

presented to a high standard. the interior

includes three reception rooms and a welcoming

kitchen, so there is plenty of space for guests.

amid the four acres (stms) of grounds you

will find a range of outbuildings, one of which is

currently used as a workshop.

PROPERTY DETAILS

Location

radlett

Price

£2,300,000

Property type

detached georgian home

Contact

homes in hertfordshire 01908 969129

Investing IN THE UNUSUAL

FINE lnvestment Advice

A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS IS PROMPTING PEOPLE TO MOVE INTO OTHER AREAS OF INVESTMENT. INSTEAD OF THE CLINICAL

APPROACH OF PUTTING INTO GROWING MARKETS, PEOPLE ARE NOW LOOKING TOWARDS ASSETS THAT CAN BE ENjOYED.


FINE Investment Advice

The property market has had its difficulties, but the trend in renovating and interior decorating has provided first time investors with a challenge to invest not just with money but also on a personal level. Whether it is taking the time to pick out furniture or capturing the perfect colour scheme – personality and to some extent hobby has nurtured an interest beyond a simple financial transaction.

The arts market is an increasingly competitive alternative for investors. It provides a sense of pleasure and can bring an aesthetically pleasing approach to investment. Furthermore with the current turmoil around banking and safeguarding assets, art offers one of the most secure forms of investment available.

At the heart of art investment is a desire to collect. This can be much more than paintings as sculptures; jewellery and even literature compete for the affections of investors at auction. Getting to know your chosen realm is vital to making the right purchase. Of course, people are able to pick whatever appeals to their taste, which can go a long way to becoming an expert in that particular field.

As well as reading up and going to exhibitions, making inroads into the art scene is also important. Specialists and dealers are on hand to consult with investors at all major auction houses. you can also contact experts who deal directly in specific buying. Getting to know these people can be key to making a successful purchase.

The end result is to purchase an item that will make a return, but that is not to say what you collect shouldn’t be something you love and want to have around until such time it goes under the hammer. Setting a theme amongst your collection can provide a rewarding challenge and keeps the interest alive.

The arts market is considered fairly insular in that outside influences such as the economy have very little impact upon the value of artwork. Although all investment comes under some form of risk, with the advice of an art consultant a lot of the guesswork can be taken out of the commitment.

However, one area that can prove more difficult is investing in new and emerging artists. Becoming competent with historic movements, genres and periods can be achieved after months of research, but new artists can be a different kind of challenge. Immersing yourself into the contemporary arts scene is for some and not for others but ultimately vital in securing a valuable piece of work. What one critic considers an up and coming talent can be based purely on a hunch, however with the advent of artists like Banksy following the latest graduates can be lucrative. Collecting art is not just the purchase of an asset but an investment in an expectation that the item will bestow untold riches. Artwork will always have value and with a little expertise may even increase, but it is almost guaranteed to hold its value and therefore provides buyers with security for their money. The passion and enjoyment that art collecting will inevitably bring is an added bonus.

Where to goGALLERIES – the obvious setting it may well be, but privately run galleries are free and allow you to meet directly with art buyers and other collectors and therefore making contacts within the art world.

ART FAIRS allow you to sample a diverse mix of artwork and in some cases items are sold directly from the artist. There are often talks at these types of events, which can give prospective purchasers some pointers on the day.

DEGREE SHOWS are almost invitation only, look into your chosen establishment and ask to be put on the mailing list. The risk is investing in new talent but the best thing about purchasing during a degree show is that prices are completely negotiable.

AUCTION HOUSES can be intimidating places, however experts are regularly on hand to guide you through the process. Preview days allow you to check over the items and learn a bit more before the actual sale and are paramount for serious buyers.

COLLECTING ART IS NOT jUST THE pURCHASE OF AN ASSET bUT AN INvESTmENT IN AN ExpECTATION THAT THE ITEm WILL bESTOW UNTOLD RICHES.

AT THE HEART OF ART INvESTmENT IS A DESIRE TO COLLECT.

IF YOU’RE FED UP WITH RECEIVING LOW RETURNS ON YOUR MONEY, WHY NOT LOOK AT THESE FOUR UNIQUE WAYS TO INVEST?

Spring 2012 F ine 19


Imagine you had invested £40,000 in a seat in the stalls at the Royal Albert Hall. If you had in 2007, it would have been a smart move – that seat would now be worth almost double that amount. Better still, it would also be giving you a regular income. Ownership of a seat entitles you to tickets for most events. The official ticket return scheme could generate an income in the region of £3,000 per year. Those figures would rise significantly further if you were lucky enough to own a box. A 10-seater Grand Tier box – one of the very largest – was sold in June 2008 for £1.2 million, and as we go to press a 5-seat box is under offer for a tidy £550,000.

The Theatre



The principle is simple. Buy leasehold on a hotel room and, because it’s classed as a commercial asset, it’s one of the only property types you can buy using a personal pension such as a SIPP – allowing you to benefit from tax relief on the income and capital growth. The hotel letting out the room in the normal way generates the income, and you’ll typically earn 50% of the cost of the occupancy. The great advantage of buying a hotel room is that it’s a very hands-off investment. your room is managed professionally by the hotel, which also has an incentive to get maximum returns from letting it. Choose the right hotel, and there’s another benefit worth considering – you’ll be entitled to spend up to 52 nights per year in your room.

Hotel Rooms


Fine WineInvesting in wine can offer some impressive returns – if you get it right. This year, the wine market is strong, with great demand from China and elsewhere for top Bordeaux and other fine wines. Recent history has also shown that investing in wine can outperform holdings in major stock market companies by staggering margins. However, it’s worth noting that wine prices can drop dramatically. Fine wine prices dropped 15% in 2011, although the Wine Investment Fund predicts that the Liv-ex 100 (the wine industry’s leading benchmark index) will end this year a full 10% above its level at the end of last year. But remember – not every vintage is considered to be investment grade, no matter how enjoyable it may be to drink.



Vintage CarsInvesting in top-end vintage cars is worth the worry, insurance and labour of love. Recently one owner sold his vintage Ferrari 250 GTO for £20.2 million – netting him a £4.5 million profit in four years and the accolade for the most expensive car sale in Britain to date. Not bad for a car that cost £6,000 in 1963.The choice of car is key, though according to classic dealers Talacrest, Ferraris are considered the Picassos of the car world. If you’d bought the 250 GTO new, your investment would now be worth more than if you’d put your money in savings, the stock market or gold. Although not every marque has performed as well it’s worth noting that the HAGI Top index of 50 key collectable classic cars has delivered a compound annual growth rate of over 12% over the last three decades.




They found the perfect location in sought-after West Byfleet and built a stylish, high quality home that would be ideal for all the family

OUTSTANDING VILLAGE LOCATION

£2,000,000Homes in Surrey 01932 576600

The owners loved the location of The Rythe, which was ideal for schools and the location of the station. The peace and tranquillity of the area was magnificent

STAR OF THE EVENING

£2,200,000Homes in Surrey 01372 841910

Home COUNTIES

Jeremy Campbell-Harris Regional Director for Fine

Having become an estate agent straight from school in the late 1980’s Jeremy started his career in the country homes market in Hampshire, working there for both fox and Sons and Penyards. In the mid 90’s he made the move to london where he spent the next 15 years working in the prime central london market with Winkworth and Jackson Stops and Staff.

MARKET COMMENT: FINE IN THE HOME COUNTIES

STABIlITy ReTURnInG TO THe mARKeT

We have had a very positive start to the year with an excellent array of new properties coming to the market and a renewed optimism from both sellers and purchasers alike.

The home counties are benefitting from money flowing in from both london and overseas, with both domestic and overseas buyers looking for larger properties just outside london especially near good schools, and with good transport links back into the capital. Research suggests that on average 20% of buyers for property in the home counties come from london with both space and quality of life high on the list of requirements. But sensible pricing remains crucial to achieving these sales.

mortgage availability has been steadily increasing and of course interest rates still remain low, so a degree of stability seems to be returning to the market once again.



£2,650,000 They had long been captivated by the Huf house, so when they realised they had the perfect place to build one, it was an opportunity they could not missHomes in Buckinghamshire 01753 886177

£2,850,000Proudly overlooking the common in Gerrards Cross, imposing Walpole House with its royal connections is a treasure trove of period features and historic appealHomes in Buckinghamshire 01753 886177

£2,600,000Breathtaking interiors, stunning leisure spaces and an incredible garden – the owners have considered every detail in the creation of their magnificent dream homeHomes in Buckinghamshire 01753 886177

£2,150,000 Nestling in the peaceful beauty of Oxshott Woods, Berrystede House makes a quiet statement with its impeccable Georgian styling and elegant interior Homes in Surrey 01932 576600

GEORGIAN ON MY MIND

£1,450,000Having lived on the desirable road themselves, they knew this was the ideal location to build the beautiful new home that would offer comfort, space and styleHomes in Surrey 01372 383434

£3,250,000They fell in love with the garden and the magnificent Effingham location and so decided to build their home there, using the finest materialsHomes in Surrey 01372 383434

A SENSE OF STYLE CREATION STORY

DREAM, DREAM, DREAM

RAISING A GLASS JEWEL IN THE CROWN

CROWNING GLORYthey were attracted to the desirable crown estate and the stunning property’s position within it - and they knew it would offer them privacy and a perfect lifestyle

Guide price £4,900,000Homes in Surrey 01372 841910


A PERFECT

PROPOSALhE aSkEd hEr to marry him at SaNdhillS aNd thEy hEld thEir WEddiNg at thE

haNdSomE VictoriaN houSE, With itS SPaciouS iNtErior aNd gloriouS gardEN


“We like being in the drawing room in winter, when we have the open fire going. It is a formal area for entertaining but at the same time feels homely.”

a s they approached the splendid property up the drive, it slowly revealed itself to them – when they climbed out of the car, they found a magnificent house with spectacular views.

“It was a beautiful place but at the same time was not so imposing that it was overwhelming,” she said. “We knew we would want to renovate it. But we were able to do that while also keeping all the character.” Since then, they have enjoyed relaxing at Sandhills, looking out over the stunning Surrey country, and celebrating a number of special occasions.

“This is where my husband proposed to me,” she remembered. “We were also married here, with all our friends attending.”


“A lot of thought went into planning the renovations so we could keep the sense of history of the house intact.”


SENSE OF TRADITIONDating back to 1890, the impressive and expansive house has featured in books for its exquisite style and wonderful character. Today it still features many of its original wainscots, cornicing and fireplaces.

“A lot of thought went into planning the renovations so we could keep the sense of history of the house intact. We looked at every room and considered what we wanted to do with it,” she said. It took two years to carry out the work. The aim was to create a look that was largely traditional but within rooms that had high levels of contemporary comfort and style as well.

STyLISH KITCHENThroughout Sandhills, spaces are now sumptuous and roomy. Some have high ceilings and are filled with light while others are cosier, offering more informal areas for relaxation.

“The kitchen here was quite small so we knocked three rooms together to create one large space,” she said. “We wanted a cooking area in the kitchen but also an entertaining area so we installed a wood-burner.

“We chose granite work surfaces, with beautiful curved ogee edges instead of straight edges. We ensured there was great attention to detail.”

EXCEPTIONAL ROOMSWith so much space at the house, it is easy to accommodate visitors. Two of the bedrooms are simply outstanding, she stressed. “One is huge and has a barrelled ceiling. It has wonderful views, as well as a fireplace, bathroom and dressing room. We have a four poster bed in there.

“The master suite has a sitting area and two bathrooms – my bathroom is the size of a double bedroom! It has long windows overlooking different views and I have a cupboard where I can keep up to 150 pairs of shoes!”

Steeped in history, this commanding country home provides

exceptional accommodation, whilst securely tucked away in

the beautiful Surrey countryside. Boasting 11 acres (STMS),

nine bedrooms, seven reception rooms, a gate lodge, cottage

and annexe, Sandhills offers private and modern living all

within an easy commute to the heart of London.

LocationBletchingleyPrice£4,850,000Property typeGrade II Listed Country HomeContactHomes in Surrey 01372 383434

ProPErty dEtailS


LIFE AT THE LODGE

it WaS a quiEt lEaFy SPot aNd it SEEmEd thE PErFEct PlacE to Build aN ExquiSitE NEW

homE WhErE quality WaS ParamouNt aNd EVEry dEtail WaS carEFully coNSidErEd


Stepping into the bright reception hall, with its beautiful,

oak staircase leading up to the galleried landing, visitors

to Devonshire Lodge are always assured a warm

welcome. The detail and care that is immediately apparent

in this part of the Surrey home sets the tone for the rest of

the superb property, as it flows on into light living spaces and

then out into the garden. Designed to the specifications of

the current owners, the expansive house was built five years

ago, after the couple found an ideal location. “It was quiet,

leafy and green, and yet in a good position for getting to all

the places we needed to reach,” she said. “We had it built

to the highest quality to our own design. We wanted large

rooms and to have beautiful solid oak fittings that reflected

the Arts & Crafts style.”

WONDERFULLy LIGHT

The glorious entrance hall, with its minstrels’ gallery, has views

down to either side. “We had always wanted an entrance hall

that was very light and had a high ceiling that went right up

to the roof pitch,” she said. “We also wanted lots of windows

to bring the light flooding in,” said the owner. The couple

also had a clear idea of what they required from the rest of

the house. “We wanted all the rooms to be large, with the

reception rooms interchangeable, so they could be used in

different ways.” The dining hall, for example, could become a

fabulous sitting area. With glass and oak to one side, there are

magnificent views on to the garden.

Devonshire Lodge is a beautiful five-bedroom family home,

lovingly maintained and finished to an exceptionally high

standard. The interiors include a grand galleried reception

hall, four reception rooms and a bespoke kitchen/breakfast

room. Outside there are charming landscaped gardens and a

double garage.

ProPErty dEtailS

“The area was quiet, leafy and green, and yet in a good position for getting to all the places we needed to reach.”

Location

Cobham

Type of house

Arts & Crafts

style home

Price

Guide price £2.395,000

Contact

Homes in Surrey

01932 576600


Fine Confidential is a discreet property service for people who prefer

to keep their business to themselves. It requires a particular skill to

effectively market a property in a subtle and unobtrusive way. Fine are

well placed to provide this low-key service as we specialise in selling

properties of unique character and distinction throughout the country.

Clients who use this service include:

- Sports personalities including premiership footballers

- Celebrities

- High profile business people

- People who for whatever reason value their privacy

For a confidential market appraisal and to find out how Fine can make the

difference in the sale of your home call 0207 998 0207.

fine confidentialA discreet property service that’s in a league of its own.

“leT’S TAlK mARKeTInG STRATeGy” SAyS deAn HeAvISIde Of fIne TO THOSe HOme mOveRS WHO ARe SellInG AT £2mIllIOn And OveR,

fOllOWInG THe ReCenT BUdGeT.

STAmP dUTy lAnd TAx AvOIdAnCe –THe ACCePTABle fACe Of TAx PlAnnInG?

The coverage given to the changes in Stamp duty land Tax (SdlT) in the recent budget highlights its importance as a significant revenue generator for the government. The way that this tax has been implemented causes resentment amongst buyers, leading some to invest in avoiding it, especially with the rate for £2m+ properties having increased to 7%.

In recent years, schemes to reduce SdlT liabilities have become popular with some buyers. These schemes are not illegal – indeed, their supporters describe them as acceptable as pensions or ISAs. However, unlike these, Revenue & Customs has the right to investigate individual returns and target those where they feel they do not accurately reflect the transaction.

The schemes typically promise to save the buyer up to 50% in tax, for which the client is charged up to 50% of the amount saved. for some, this is a risk worth taking because currently Revenue & Customs cannot fine individuals but only charge them interest and demand the payment. While indemnity insurance is offered on a short-term basis, the authority of Revenue & Customs to investigate individuals never expires and for many this is sufficient reason not to pursue such schemes.

every year at budget time, the cat-and-mouse game between the government and those advisers promoting the loopholes continue. last year an avoidance method called subsales was outlawed and this year, the government effectively closed the method of using offshore companies by increasing the rate from 0.5% to 15% for purchases over £2m. However, within hours of this announcement, providers were contacting law firms promoting alternative, trust-based solutions.

finally, in a move that further highlights the risks these schemes pose, the law Society has announced that it will penalise firms who assist in these transactions. Indeed, some are speculating that in the future, such tax avoidance may be made a criminal offence.

Peter Ambrose is a director of The Partnership, based in Guildford Surrey, offering fast and efficient conveyancing services to discerning clients.

www.thepartnershiplimited.com

MANSION TAXPOST BUdGeT COmmenT

thE laNd rEgiStry iNdicatES that oF 67,000 homES Sold Each moNth, oNly arouNd 95 arE at £2millioN or oVEr

So we have a ‘mansion tax’ of sorts, but not the one that many were anticipating. George Osbourne has announced a new 7% stamp duty tax on homes sold for more than £2million and it came into force with immediate effect, together with the new 15% deterrent to anyone thinking of purchasing through a company. A different approach to the vince Cable, lib dem sponsored mansion tax proposal, although as I have commented elsewhere over recent months, in my view this would have not worked anyway.

It would have required a revaluation of all homes nationally (something that all parties have been unwilling to undertake), there was confusion over which economic indicators of inflation would have been applied to it, house prices have been going backwards by and large, so not the best time to introduce it… then there was the potential cost of implementing it!

The point I have also made is how many homes would this have applied to anyway? I have seen figures of 50,000 to 100,000 per annum quoted… the land Registry indicates that of 67,000 homes sold each month, only around 95 are at £2million or over! Budget tokenism then? It may be, but what are the ramifications for home sellers that are marketing at this level? The simple fact is that buyers will not want to foot the additional stamp duty burden of £40,000 plus and is likely to be deflected in any offer made. Selling

at between £2million to at least £2.35million sellers will either decide to competitively market their home at just below £2million (because that’s where offers are surely going to come in) or stick at a genuinely deserved valuation of closer to the £2.5million mark.

Some sellers might think that they can simply ask their agents to pitch an asking price higher than their property’s true value, in a misguided attempt to throw potential purchasers off the scent.

But buyers have so many properties to choose from at the moment, they won’t be fooled – and those overpriced properties will just languish on the market until the sellers accept a sense of realism.

The main budgetary gain then is from the closing of stamp duty loopholes. The offshore/international buyer hole could usefully add to revenue. It is thought that in london alone one in twenty properties evades stamp duty. International buyers are acquiring so called ‘trophy’ homes – the high profile sale last year of Park Place near Henley for £140m deprived the tax payer of £7m that should have been paid in stamp duty, avoided as it was bought using a single asset company. George Osbourne could not make it any clearer that HmRC would be tackling avoidance with a vengeance… even before the budget they were apparently chasing £35million in alleged stamp duty avoidance in challenging 1,200 individuals!



exqUISITe TImBeR-ClAd STRUCTUReS THAT Blend InTO THeIR nATURAl SURROUndInGS OR BeAUTIfUl BRICK-BUIlT edIfICeS THAT HAve Been THeRe fOR HUndRedS Of yeARS – BARnS CAn BeCOme SImPly BReATHTAKInG HOmeS. OUR AnCeSTORS WOUld neveR HAve dReAmT THAT CenTURIeS AfTeR THey eReCTed THeSe BUIldInGS fOR THe STORAGe Of THeIR GRAIn And THe SHelTeR Of THeIR AnImAlS, We WOUld Be TRAnSfORmInG THem InTO lIvInG SPACeS.BUT WITH THeIR exPAnSIve InTeRIORS, STUnnInG feATUReS, OPen enTRAnCeS THAT CAn BeCOme GReAT PICTURe WIndOWS - And THeIR OfTen ASTOUndInG COUnTRySIde vIeWS, THe mOST exCITInG And InnOvATIve HOmeS CAn Be CReATed WITHIn THeIR WAllS.

Barn Identity



Guide price £1,275,000

Homes in Essex 01206 564259

They walked around the beautiful 17th Century barn and realised it could be converted into the most stunning, modern home

BARN IN THE MODERNWORLD

£590,000

Homes in Derbyshire 0115 9814509

They were looking for a property to convert when they came upon the attractive collection of barns and could see immediately how they could become a home

COUNTRyCONVERT

£420,000

Homes in Norfolk 01603 622017

All the character of the original building had been retained in the conversion – and yet the property was cosy, welcoming and homely at the same time

BEAUTy NEAR THE BROADS

oieo £450,000


They found the barn in the heart of the countryside, in beautiful Norfolk scenery, and knew they could convert it to make a superb equestrian home

A LITTLEPEACE

£999,995

Homes in Buckinghamshire 01908 969129

They wanted a home where they could keep horses and grow fruit and vegetables – and they also wanted to live the country dream in a beautiful house

HOME ONTHE RANGE

oiro £840,000

Homes in Leicestershire 0115 9814509

Chatting with friends in the spacious, sunny kitchen as they watch their horses grazing in the paddocks makes all the hard work worthwhile

A SUNNyOUTLOOK

Dating back to the 16th Century, Orange Barn, with its distinctive colour and traditional charm, creates a pretty picture

They look out across the countryside and catch sight of wildlife in the fields – and as the day draws to a close they watch the sun set across the great Norfolk sky

The first time he stepped into the magnificent hall at Church End Farm, Tony knew that in this beautifully converted 300-year-old barn he had found his home

In a glorious setting, with its own lake, swimming pool and entertainment areas, the magnificent barn has been the most incredible home in which to welcome friends

THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT A SPACE IN THE COUNTRY

Divine Conversion BARN DANCING

£499,000Homes in essex 01206 564259

oieo £650,000Homes in norfolk 01603 622017

£1,350,000Homes in Bedfordshire 01908 969129

Guide price £1,500,000Homes in essex 01206 564259


TIMELESS BEAUTY

thE BrEathtakiNg VaultEd cEiliNg aNd thE ExquiSitE origiNal BEamS – thEy FEll iN loVE

With thE timElESS BEauty oF lE gryS BarN aNd dEcidEd to makE it thEir homE


She stepped into the amazing living area and was struck by the overwhelming

beauty of the 17th Century threshing barn. As she noticed the sunlight

streaming in and the sheer height of the great space, she knew this was the

property they had been looking for. “I was visiting England from Hong Kong and went

to see the barn,” she remembered. “I walked in and looked up to the mezzanine

gallery. It was so spacious and light, and had such incredible drama.” She added: “We

originally bought it as a holiday home but we loved it so much that we ended up living

in it all the time.”

UNIQUE HOME

The magnificent barn dates back to 1610 and was converted into a home in

1984. When the current owners bought it in 1996, it was in good condition. They

then brought in their own styling and décor, and converted former outbuildings

into attractive en-suite bedrooms to let out as boutique bed and breakfast

accommodation. “This has worked very well for us,” she said. “People love coming

to stay in such a unique home, in a stunning conservation area of Norfolk.” But she

added: “Each room has its own private entrance and terrace so this part of Le Grys

Barn could also have all sorts of other wonderful uses, from a self-contained annexe

for a relative through to office or leisure space.”

CHARACTER AND COLOUR

The enormous character of the home is evident throughout, with the great windows

and beautiful beams still retaining the very essence and fabric of the building as it

would have been all those centuries ago. “We haven’t wanted to change it,” she said.

“We have always had furniture we have brought back from the Far East, antique

Chinese cabinets and these have worked very well within the barn space.”

“I walked in and looked up to the mezzanine gallery. It was so spacious and light, and had such incredible drama.”



“Each bedroom has its own private entrance and terrace so this part of Le Grys Barn could have all sorts of other wonderful uses.”

PROPERTy DETAILS

LocationWacton Common Type of house Strikingbarn conversion

Nestled in the scenic Norfolk countryside and on

the fringe of Wacton Common, this commanding

barn conversion has stunning features that add

drama to the character-filled rooms.

Combining a breathtaking vaulted open plan

living space with five sumptuous bedrooms and

approximately 0.7 of an acre (STMS) of land,

this home retains reminders of its past, whilst

providing modern luxury living.

Price £599,950ContactHomes in Norfolk 01603 622017

She continued: “Many of the areas here, such as The

Orchard Room, which is in aquamarine and stone

colours, have a very calm feel. The terrace by this room

allows guests to step outside in the morning and listen

to the birdsong. This adds to that sense of relaxation.”

ALL SEASONS

Other favourite places include the gallery, where they

sit and watch as the sun moves round during the day,

illuminating different areas, and the main drawing room,

where they recently hosted a party for the owner’s

daughter’s 21st bir thday. “It was marvellous because

we could open the room up at both ends, and people

could flow through into the garden,” she said.

LIGHT FANTASTIC

The conservatory area is currently used as a breakfast

room for guests but could become a wonderful

comfortable seating area. “This overlooks the huge open

space of Wacton Common. It is a lovely place to sit with

a glass of wine, watching as the light changes through

the evening,” she said. The kitchen, with its central island,

feeds into the dining area. This open plan design allows

the family and their visitors to chat together even if they

are in different areas. “This does make the whole house

feel alive,” she added.

WONDERFUL MEMORIES

Two rooms – the study and the music room – can be

closed off allowing individuals to have quiet time to

pursue their individual interests. “There is so much to

enjoy about this home,” said the owner. “I will always

remember the light in this house, and the way the

garden almost seems to be drawn in through the

enormous windows.” And she added: “We have had so

many happy times here, all sorts of gatherings and family

events. We have lots of wonderful memories to look

back on.”

A SPECIAL PLACE

Three years after arriving at Le Grys Barn, the current

owners began their luxury bed and breakfast operation.

Since then it has gone from strength to strength, with

visitors travelling from across the country and beyond

to stay at the 17th Century barn. Featured in Alastair

Sawday’s Special Places to Stay, it offers three en-suite

rooms to guests – The Orchid Room, The Garden

Room and The Courtyard Room. While the layout of

this part of the property would suit someone else

looking to run a similar operation, it could also be put

to all sorts of other uses.

WONDERFUL WACTON

Wacton is a quiet village in the heart of South

Norfolk. It has a beautiful common, where it is

wonderful to walk. Its church, All Saints, is one of 124

existing round-tower churches in Norfolk. Its tower

narrows as it rises, and could well have been built in

two or three stages.

The lowest stage is thought to be Saxon. The church,

which has a 15th Century font, is sometimes open to

the public on special visiting days.


BARN IN THE MODERN WORLDTHEY WALKED AROUND THE BEAUTIFUL 17TH CENTURY BARN AND REALISED

IT COULD BE CONVERTED INTO THE MOST STUNNING, MODERN HOME

“The space and the layout were perfect – it lent itself to being converted and we were up for a project.”



n estling in the heart of the village the barn was in a truly

unique position and offered simply magnificent space

for the creation of a striking and dramatic home. the

current owners had been looking for some time and, despite,

knowing about the building, had no idea it might become available

for conversion. after falling in love with it, however, they made an

offer and saw it go to sealed bid. when they won it, they were

thrilled. “we walked around the barn and just loved the courtyard

feel,” one of them remembered.

archItect-desIgned

despite having two young children, and another on the way,

they launched themselves into the conversion with enthusiasm.

work was overseen by architect neil Jennings, a specialist in listed

buildings, and everything came together as they hoped it would.

“I can be tucked away, working, aware of what is going on in the house but at the same time away from it all.”

this charming barn conversion is energy efficient and boasts

extensive accommodation including an impressive vaulted hall,

five inviting bedrooms, four reception rooms and a bespoke

kitchen/breakfast room. outside you will find a landscaped

garden and two terraces.

locationfeeringtype of housebarn conversion

price£1,275,000contacthomes in essex 01206 564259

PROPeRTy deTAIlS

eye-catching modern touches now sit beautifully alongside

character features, such as beautiful old beams and brickwork.

“we wanted something very contemporary,” she explained.

“at the same time it had to have a focus on family – it was all

about creating space that was very useable. “we wanted the style

to balance with functionality.”

cleVer layout

In practice, this meant the creation of a back entrance into an

enormous boot room and cloakroom, for example, so children

playing outside could come in and out. “from the kitchen and living

space I can watch the children out in the garden and see them in

the playroom too,” she said. “I can also catch glimpses of them in

their bedrooms.” the property was also designed to be fabulous

for entertaining.

BondFine Daniel Craig

As DAniel CrAig stArts shooting Skyfall, susAn griffin ChAts to the 007 ACtor About the pAst yeAr AnD resuming his liCense to kill

is back

It’s my intention to make the best Bond movie – Bond with a capital B.


Fine Daniel Craig

Where interviews are concerned, Daniel Craig has a reputation for being rather serious, a little sullen even, but not today. instead, the craggily handsome actor

who brought new life to the James bond franchise in 2006’s Casino Royale, is happily throwing his head back and laughing. but then it’s a good time for the 44-year-old.

last summer he married the actress rachel Weisz and lived out a childhood dream of donning a stetson and spurs for the sci-fi western Cowboys and aliens alongside harrison ford. And he’s now finally finished filming for his third outing as 007 in the 23rd bond movie Skyfall.

“it’s my intention to make the best bond movie – bond with a capital b,” says Craig, who’s wearing jeans and a tight black t-shirt that shows off the honed physique he’s famed for.

the script is shrouded in secrecy but we do know that filming has taken place in london’s Whitehall, China, turkey and scotland, as well as at pinewood studios.

Although it has no link to the ian fleming stories, the director sam mendes has reassured fans that the script has “all the elements of a classic bond movie – including a lot of action.”

“i’m just incredibly proud to be part of this gang of people who have agreed to come and do it,” says Craig, referring to Dame Judi Dench, who returns as m, Javier bardem and ralph fiennes.for a while it was looking unlikely Craig would get the chance to

play bond again following 2008’s Quantum Of Solace. the franchise had been put on hold amid financial troubles, with the film company mgm filing for bankruptcy protection last november. but a rescue deal and restructuring plan has meant bond survives another day. “strangely it wasn’t frustrating because there was nothing i could do about it,” Craig explains. “i was just fortunate enough to be able to go off and do some other projects, so i kept myself busy.”

now Skyfall has wrapped he’s itching for audiences to see it. he smiled, before hinting that they will be treated to more gratuitous

torso shots of bond. “it’s the gig. We should be talking about when i keep the shirt on, really,” he laughs and recalls Dame Judi proffering two pints of guinness and a pork pie after filming on Casino royale had wrapped and he could afford to relax his workouts a little. but Craig’s not inclined to let the waistband expand. “i’m obsessive about getting fit, it’s ridiculous. i’m

over 40 now, and i’ve got to stop doing it soon. i have to start getting fat and old! truly, i have to live a life,” he says.

born in Cheshire, Craig credits his mother for inspiring him to act and he was only six when he started appearing in school plays. by 16, he’d moved to london with the national youth theatre and later earned a place at the guildhall school of music and Drama alongside ewan mcgregor.

he made his film debut in 1992’s The Power Of One, the same year he married scottish actress fiona loudon. though their marriage only lasted two years, they have a daughter, ella, who was one of the few guests at his wedding to Weisz.

“I’m just incredibly proud to be part of this gang of people who have agreed to come and do it.”

filming a key scene for the upcoming Bond film


I like working, it’s as simple as that.

Fine Daniel Craig


“if I could do Bond for a few more years then I’d be happy.”

there have been many strong, supporting roles over the years, from lara Croft: Tomb Raider to Road To Perdition, but it was 2004’s gangster movie layer Cake that really got him noticed and in october 2005, he was announced as the successor to pierce brosnan’s bond.

Craig was deemed an unpopular choice with die-hard fans unable to envision a blonde-haired, blue-eyed 007 and the actor initially walked away from the offer. “i couldn’t wrap my head around it or see myself doing it at first,” he admits. “i genuinely thought they were having a giggle.” but he soon settled into the role and proved the naysayers wrong by bringing a dramatic depth to the character. “there’s always going to be somebody who says, ‘that’s not bond, this is bond’, but i’ve made this my own and i feel very comfortable and secure about that.”

A notoriously private man, he admits he had to think long and hard about the effect the role would have on his life. “but when it came down to it, i decided to embrace the whole thing. there’s no point doing a bond movie and hiding away for six months. you have to get out there and do it,” he says, but stresses he’s trying to keep his personal life as private as he can. “Certainly, i’ve tried to

keep my family and friends far away from it and i feel their privacy is crucially important.”

interestingly, he explores life on the other side of the fence in David fincher’s recent adaptation of stieg larsson’s The Girl With Dragon Tattoo. in the film, Craig plays mikael blomkvist, a journalist hired by henrik Vanger (Christopher plummer) to investigate the disappearance of his niece decades before. “the truth is, i think journalism is an incredibly important part of a democratic society and some of my heroes are journalists,” admits Craig. “obviously journalism sometimes has a negative effect on my world, but i’m big enough and ugly enough to understand why it’s there.”

he says he relished the chance to work with the social network’s fincher despite his reputation as an uncompromising taskmaster. “that’s kind of what you live for. if you think actors are basically people who like to dress up and show off, it’s a perfect platform for that. i’m like, ‘bring it on’,” says Craig, who’s no stranger to putting in hard graft. “i like working, it’s as simple as that,” he says. that’s why he was never worried by the threat of being typecast as the man with a license to kill. “i genuinely don’t think about it. i’ve been lucky enough to have some really nice roles thrown at me and i grab them. And if i could do bond for a few more years then i’d be happy.”

Skyfall is due to be released in the uk this october.

I’ve been lucky enough to have some really nice roles thrown at me and I grab them.

Fine Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig with Skyfall co-stars Javier Bardem, Berenice Marlohe and Naomie Harris



Standing proudly, overlooking its impressive grounds, the imposing 19th Century house could be the setting for any number of historic novels

WESTWARD HO!

£1,250,000Homes in Cambridgeshire 01223 778997

The welcoming family home, with its impressive period façade, and colourful history as a coaching inn, stands proudly on Kelvedon High Street

INN COMFORT AND STYLE

Guide price £785,000Homes in essex 01206 564259

dean Heaviside Divisional Sales Directordean has been in the business for over 30 years, beginning his career in the beautiful city of york, with independent and corporate estate agency in between, he is now based in norfolk and the similarly beautiful city of norwich. Passionate about property, his pioneering approach to marketing was there in the 1980’s and he has continued to look for new ways to make the home move process better for buyers and sellers. And the award winning lifestyle marketing?... “It was developed to make a difference” he says. We certainly believe it does!

EASTMARKET COMMENT: FINE IN THE EAST

STAndInG OUT fROm THe COmPeTITIOn

There are more homes on the market than you imagine currently and that means more competition for a sale of property. Just a cursory glance at the Rightmove property website across the east shows just how much. norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire show a broadly similar picture as you analyse price segments through the premium homes market. Between £400,000 and £600,000 you will find between 700 to 800 properties showing for sale in each county. Between £600,000 and £1million 270 to 300, over £1million there are between 75 and 90 properties. Step into essex with its relatively higher values and you will find around 530 homes for sale just between £800,000 and £1million and over 600 at £1million plus.

Given this competition, it really is crucial to consider how the marketing of your home will make it stand out from the rest. “We prove time and time again that our approach works to sell homes that other agents have been unable to,” he affirms.



Guide price £895,000


Elizabeth and Carl moved into the period house in sought-after Coggeshall the same week as they got married and went on to make the beautiful property their own

AWARDWINNING HOME

£600,000


The pretty brick and flint cottage has character and history. Tucked away in a sought-after seaside village, it offers superb sanctuary

SIMPLyCOASTING

£525,000

Homes in Suffolk 01394 548158

Sitting out in the sunshine, chatting over a cup of coffee, they remember the great occasions they have hosted here, from family weddings to a millennium party

TWOWEDDINGSAND A PARTy

£415,000

Homes in West Essex 020 85040977

The current vendor saw the plans for the new properties within the imposing Edwardian house and she had a vision of how the attractive home might look

AN ELEGANT EXISTENCE

£600,000

Homes in Lincolnshire 01223 778997

The Limes is a delight for its owners who love its close proximity to the town centre and the exceptionally large rear garden

DELIGHTFUL FEATURES

oieo £1,000,000


Magnificent views out over the countryside, a spacious, refurbished home and a business to simply step into for anyone seeking a superb, new lifestyle

LIVING THE LIFE

EVERYTHING AND MOREset in approximately three acres, and with stables and

a self-contained annexe, the norfolk equestrian home has given the owners a decade of pure joy

£695,000Homes in norfolk 01603 622017


THE

MILLERS TALETHE EXQUISITE COMBINATION OF THE OLD VICTORIAN HOUSE AND THE REPLICA MILL BUILDING,

WITH ITS STUNNING INTERIOR, CREATED A HOME THAT WAS OUTSTANDING

“We have a silver dining table in the great hall, where we eat on special occasions, and there’s a grand piano.”


S he is passionate about unusual barns and he loves period homes – and the

truly unique Mill House has brought the two together in a manner that is simply

breathtaking. It has been three years now since the owners of the Chipping Hill

property found their stunning house, which gives them everything they ever wanted from a

home. “He loves old Victorian houses and I love barn conversions. With Mill House we found

our ideal homes – and they are joined together!” she said.

“The garden here is also wonderful. I had always wanted to live somewhere with willow

trees water and we have them both here.

“With this house, we both found everything we had ever wanted.”

AN EXCEPTIONAL STyLE

The older part of the property dates back to 1856, and features a more modern 2000

extension, explained the owner. However the architect did copy the 18th Century mill barn

style, and it is now kitted out in a very modern way.”

After moving in, the couple brought their own taste in décor to the house, enhancing the

eye-catching design of the mill building and brightening the Victorian side.

They opened up the hallway, created his and hers dressing rooms and bathrooms, and

redecorated rooms, revealing their period character through touches such as the

stripped floorboards.

Spr ing 2012 F ine 5150 F ine Spr ing 2012


PROPeRTy deTAIlSSituated amid beautiful grounds of approximately 3.5 acres (STMS),

which include the old mill pond, Mill House has been sensitively

restored and is located close to the town and station. The charming

accommodation includes six bedrooms, an impressive hall,

conservatory and a contemporary kitchen/breakfast room with

planning permission to extend. Outside there is a garage with wine

cellar and an ancillary gym/games room measuring 23ft by 15ft.

Location

Chipping Hill

Price


Property type

Victorian Home and Converted Mill

Contact


SIMPLy SPECTACULAR

The current owner describes the enormous barn-like

living area, with its high ceiling, exposed beams and feature

chimney and staircase, as the “wow” room.

“This room is amazing for entertaining,” she said. “At

Christmas we have a 13ft tree in here, and we held the

parties for both our daughters’ christenings in this room.

“We have a dining table in here, where we eat on special

occasions, and there’s a grand piano.”

She added: “I love the architecture of this room, looking

up and seeing the beams or the herringbone brickwork in

the fireplace.”

WORK, REST AND PLAy

Elsewhere in the house, there are cosier spaces for day-

to-day living. The kitchen dining room (which has planning

permission for further expansion) is perfect for family

meals, the study is a great space in which to work and the

children can play in any number of different places.

“We also have a gym and games room, with a wine cellar

underneath,” she said. “We always thought that it would

be great when we had friends round if the boys were

able to go over there, choose a bottle or two and throw

some darts.

“My husband also works long hours so having a gym at

the house is ideal for him.”

UNIQUE HOME

The couple, who are relocating for family reasons, say they

will miss everything about their remarkable home.

“We love living at Chipping Hill – it is so convenient for

the children’s groups and nurseries – and the house has

been an incredible place to live,” she said.

“We have done a lot to it but there is still so much

potential for someone else to come in and put their mark

on it too.

It is perfect for a family and if you enjoy entertaining you

could not find anywhere better. We will miss everything

about it when we go.

We did not ever think we would find anywhere quite

like this.”

“We love living at Chipping Hill – it is so easy with the children – and the house has been an incredible place to live.”


“We wanted the house to sit well in its surroundings – a home that looked nice and was also a comfortable place to live.”


DOWN BY THE

SILVER LAKESLOOKING OUT ACROSS THE WATER, WATCHING THE OTTERS By THE

BANKS AND THE GEESE IN THE SKIES ABOVE, HE STILL RELISHES THE

COMPLETE SECLUSION OF HIS UNIQUE HOME

W hen the owner of the house first came to see the

23 acres of Norfolk land, with its five private lakes

and areas of woodland, he was entranced. He was

captivated by the sheer beauty of the location and decided that

this was where he would build his home. Now, more than 20 years

later, he still relishes his natural surroundings but he and his family

also delight in the impressive five-bedroom home – and the two-

bedroom annexe – he has created here. With its sumptuous spaces

and glorious views, it is the perfect place from which to enjoy a

truly unique lifestyle. “It feels like you are in your own world here.

All you can see are the woods, lakes and all the wildlife,” he said.

LORD OF THE MANOR

The area in which Lakeside is built has a wealth of history, according

to the owner. “There was a moated manor house here in the past.

They carried out an archaeological dig here in 1991, during which

they found the remains. It is thought it was lived in by the Bishop of

Situated in the heart of the beautiful Norfolk countryside and

surrounded by approximately 23 acres (STMS) of unspoilt

grounds including fishing lakes and natural woodland.

Lakeside is a beautiful family home that has been carefully

designed and built by the current owners. Inside there are five

bedrooms in the main house, a two-bedroom annexe, four

reception rooms and a garden room.

LocationBilneyType of houseLakeside home

PriceOIEO £1,500,000ContactHomes in Norfolk 01603 622017

PROPERTY DETAILS

Norwich or the Lord of Gressenhall. “The largest lake we have here

has two islands in it. It is thought one of the islands might once have

had a village on it. Now it is only inhabited by wildlife,” he said.

CAREFUL DESIGN

Before starting work on the designs for the house, the owners

spent time looking at other properties and gleaning ideas from

books and magazines.

“We wanted it to sit well in its surroundings – a home that looked

nice and was also a comfortable place to live,” he said.

“In the end, it took about five years to build, and then, another

two or three years for everything to be completely finished.

“We included features such as fancy cornicing around door frames,

moulded frames and high ceilings. People often think it is older than

it is.”

THE NEW ‘BABY’ RANGE ROVER IS WOWING PEOPLE THE WORLD OVER WITH ITS STRIKING GOOD LOOKS. BUT IS THERE MORE TO IT THAN jUST SUPERB STYLING? STEPHEN WRIGHT FINDS OUT FOR HIMSELF

Where meets substance!style

Evoque

FINE Motoring


Car of the Year Top Gear

‘Wow!’ was the expression etched on journalists faces as they craned their necks to see the long awaited Range Rover Evoque rolled out in front of the cameras back in 2007.

Amazingly sleek and contemporary for an off-roader, the hyperbole surrounding the LRX concept, as it was known back then, seemed justified.

Fast forward four years and when the production version of the Evoque eventually saw the light of day, as a svelte three-door coupe, it was a revelation because so very little about the car had changed. It was simply spectacular – blowing all in class out of the water with its striking looks. But like so many design-led cars that have gone before it, the question remained – is the Baby Range Rover all style and no substance?

The critics certainly seem to love it. At the last count the Evoque has won over 50 awards, including Top Gear’s ‘Car of the year’, and What Car’s ‘Most Exciting Car of the year ’.

The Evoque comes either as a three-door coupe or a more practical, child-friendly five-door (don’t let that put you off – it still looks hot). Design wise, there are three themes, rather than the traditional trims, the Pure, the Prestige and the Dynamic (read sporty), all with a tempting array of colours and finishes.

On the road, the Evoque is smaller than you think. At 4,355mm it’s shorter than a VW Golf, and even with its bulky-looking front end, lighter than you would imagine thanks to a liberal use of aluminium, both in its body panels, suspension, and plastics in the body, as part of a drive for greater efficiency in terms of fuel economy and emissions.

All of that is immaterial though if it doesn’t drive well, which it does, aided no doubt by its raised driving position. Thumb the starter and you will soon find that the Evoque drives as well as it looks, feeling every bit as luxurious as its larger brethren. It’s smooth and well-mannered around town but also remarkably quiet when putting your foot down on the motorway. It also handles well. Throw it about a bit around corners and you’ll soon notice its vice like grip, which keeps you firmly planted on the road, even in the wet. Not surprising when you hear that it has been benchmarked against the likes of the Audi TT and Mini Cooper.

Off the road it doesn’t disappoint thanks to its Terrain Response system, which has been designed to cope will all manner of tricky conditions (the Evoque is suspended at the front by MacPherson struts, with a multi-link variant at the rear).

FINE Motoring


FINE Motoring

Most Exciting

Car of the Year

What Car?

EvoqueGeorge lamb attending the launch of the new Range Rover Evoque at Halewood Operations at Jaguar land Rover in liverpool.


The alternativesIF YOU ARE IN THE MARKET FOR A SLEEK AND SEXY 4X4 BUT THE

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE IS A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH, THEN SEE OUR

PICK OF THE RIVALS ON THE MARKET.

Volvo XC60A firm family favourite already, the XC60 is sleek, spacious and smooth in equal measure. There is a choice of two and four wheel drive diesel models plus a two-wheel drive petrol alternative. The DRIVe version in particular gives good fuel economy and reasonable emissions for the company car drivers among you. Handling is good not great although the R-Design models compensate for that. It’s safety where the XC60 comes into its own with front and side airbags, cabin length window airbags, strengthened roof and anti-whiplash front head restraints. Plus, at speeds of 20mph or less, sensors in the windscreen can tell if you’re likely to hit the car in front and activate a warning buzzer. If you fail to respond, it will brake for you.

Audi Q3Arguably the smallest of the premium compact SUVs, what the Audi Q3 lacks in size it more than makes up for in handling and performance. The Q3 comes with a choice of three engines, all of which are turbocharged direct-injection units, two petrol and one diesel. Most people though will plump for the 2.0-litre diesel. Although the ride has a firm edge it’s never uncomfortable. It also gives it a level of control more akin with sportier saloons, enabling you to change direction with impressive agility. The build quality is superb and what we have come to expect of Audi. Most functions are controlled through the latest version of Audi’s MMI system, which makes everything pretty easy to find and use.

BMW X1The new kid on the block, the BMW X1 combines sharp handling (thanks to the xDrive), low CO2 emissions and plenty of kit as standard. It’s also keenly priced (for a BMW that is). There is a choice of four diesel engines, stability control and six airbags as standard, and like the 3 Series, the X1 shuts out exterior noise brilliantly, even at speed. Although nowhere near as striking as the Volvo XC60, the X1 compensates for this with solid build quality and residual values for when the time comes to trade it in.

FINE Motoring

And like all Land Rover engines, it is proofed against wading in 500mm of water in case you fancy taking it through the local stream with the kids.

The Evoque currently comes with a choice of two engines. There is a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol unit with a combined fuel economy of 40.9mpg or a 2.2 litre diesel unit with a choice of six-speed automatic or six-speed manual gearbox, and two- or four-wheel drive. The most eco-friendly of these options is the eD4 2WD manual model, which returns 62.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 133g/km (making it ideal as an executive company car).

Inside the link between the normal Range Rover and the Evoque is clear. Although the dials and controls are scaled down to take into account the smaller dimensions, this is not at the expense of quality which is first rate. There is also plenty in the way of space considering the curvy shape although the sweeping roofline could leave taller passengers moaning about the headroom.

For those boys who like their toys, the Evoque doesn’t disappoint. There is the Tech pack, which includes a hard-drive audio server onto which you can rip up to 10 audio CDs; voice control; a heated windscreen and washer jets; automatic headlights; rain-sensing wipers; and a front-parking aid.

If you want to go the whole hog then there is the Lux pack, which is available only with the Dynamic and Prestige editions. This includes a powered tailgate that opens and closes at the touch of a button, a panoramic glass roof with power blinds, and an 8-inch dual-view display that can show different images depending on where you’re sitting. Rounding out the Lux pack is a camera system that gives you a 360-degree view of the vehicle, keyless entry, park assistance, and a climate-control system that automatically recirculates the air in the cabin if exterior air quality drops below an acceptable level.

The Range Rover Evqoue is without a doubt a game-changer, effortlessly marrying style with substance, and in the process leaving the competition trailing in its wake. Although still only for the UK at the moment, it is scheduled to be sold worldwide, and with demand already exceeding supply, I’d suggest getting your order in soon to avoid having to wait!



With a programmable state-of-the-art touch-screen control panel and independently controllable hotplates and ovens, the new AGA Total Control cooker offers complete flexibility for 21st century living. Available now at your local AGA shop.

THE NEW AGA TOTAL CONTROL COOKER

SCAN TO FIND OUT MORE

FINE

walnut tree house, glascoedbeing close to the sought after town of usk, walnut tree house is quite rare as it offers something a bit different from the usual farm houses often found in this area.

enjoying a semi-rural position, the house offers a beautiful and private plot of approximately an acre (stms). stepping inside, the contemporary interior retains a very welcoming and homely feel with a stunning open plan kitchen/dining/family room that is superb for entertaining. with its secure gated entrance, five bedrooms and three en-suites it’s perfect for the growing family!

Favourites

£750,000

Homes in South Wales & Cardiff029 2022 6129

She had always longed for a tasteful home – and Walnut Tree House now opens up to offer them a delicious, contemporary lifestyle as well

gourmet living

Robert WeareSenior Branch Manager

“Large picture windows give an almost panoramic view from the dining area.”


WITH THeIR HISTORIC RefeRenCeS And THeIR UnUSUAl feATUReS, COnveRTed PROPeRTIeS mAKe THe mOST InTeReSTInG HOmeS. OfTen CHAllenGInG THe CReATIvITy Of THe ARCHITeCT InvOlved, THeSe BUIldInGS OffeR A fUSIOn Of THe PAST And PReSenT. fORmeR CHURCHeS And CHAPelS CAn Be TRAnSfORmed InTO THe mOST SPACIOUS Of HOmeS, WITH enORmOUS, OPen PlAn lIvInG AReAS, COmPleTe WITH vAUlTed CeIlInGS And GReAT STAIned GlASS WIndOWS, AS Well AS eCCleSIASTICAl feATUReS. HOSPITAlS, mIlITARy BUIldInGS And STATely HOmeS CAn BeCOme exClUSIve develOPmenTS, feATURInG A nUmBeR Of PRemIUm PROPeRTIeS, WHIle THe lIKeS Of PUBS, InnS And HOTelS CAn mAKe ATTRACTIve IndIvIdUAl HOUSeS In THe mOST APPeAlInG Of lOCATIOnS.

Fine Conversions



£1,950,000They bought the imposing Mill as an investment project but fell in love with it – some 26 years later they are still living at the character homeHomes in Cardiff 029 2022 6129

£600,000The complementary therapist owner and her daughter felt instant and enduring warmth at Mill Cottage, set in the beautiful South DownsHomes in Sussex 01892 458931

£1,300,000

The owners loved the presence of the handsome, old mill building and realised they could turn it into somewhere quite special insideHomes in Cardiff 029 20226129

oiro £750,000Inspired by the beautiful views across the undulating landscape around his handsome five-bedroom home, the current owner transformed it into a luxurious rural retreatHomes in Derbyshire 0115 9814509

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

TOP OF THE CLASS

KINGS OF THE MILL

DOWN AT THE MILL

£1,000,000Homes in Norfolk 01603 622017

£1,600,000Homes in West Essex 020 85040977

HEAVENLY PEACE

HIGH PRAISE INDEED

As sun streams through the great church windows sending light dancing on to the incredible vaulted ceiling above, they agree life at The Chapel has been heavenly

With its prominent Tudor oak beams and dramatic gothic arched windows, character-filled Brandon Hall is alive with history


THEy DISCOVERED THE UNIQUE BUILDING IN ITS

INCREDIBLE SETTING AND THERE THEy PROCEEDED TO

CREATE A STUNNINGLy BEAUTIFUL HOME WITH THE MOST

EXQUISITE AND STyLISH INTERIORS

BEAUTIFUL BY

DESIGN

Every time he steps into magnificent Lith Hall he marvels at its glorious space and loses his breath to the sheer beauty of what has been created

here. The current owner, who is an experienced and accomplished developer, bought the unique former church hall, in its incredible Victoria Park Road setting, planning to transform it into luxury apartments.

But his wife, who had a gift for creative interiors and beautiful design, convinced him it could be converted into a phenomenal family home for themselves. Today not only is it exceptional in the amazing space it offers in its sought-after East End location but the perfection and quality of its design and finish is simply out of this world.

“This is an incredible home the likes of which you rarely find in London,” he said. “It has its own classic elegance and is timeless. Everything about it is beautiful yet it is also a comfortable place in which to live as a family.”

INCREDIBLE VISIONOriginally, explained the owner, there was a church in Victoria Park, and the hall belonged to it. But, after the church was bombed during the second world war, the building was given to the Lithuanian Society as a gathering place – hence the property’s current name.

“My wife said she’d always thought the building would make a wonderful home – and she was right. It took a long time for the planners to agree to it becoming one large property and about three years of work went into the building.

“In the end, there was no budget – everything was done to the highest quality – and when you see how incredible it is today, you can understand that it was worth the journey to realise my wife’s vision – and just why there will never be another house like it,” he said.


“With its intricate and beautifully finished, hand-made balustrade, the staircase is the focal point around which the fabulous spaces of Lith Hall span out.”


“It has its own classic elegance and is timeless. Everything about it is beautiful yet it is also a comfortable place in which to live as a family.”


Originally the church hall to a church destroyed in the war, this individual building is

now an opulent family home situated opposite Victoria Park. The careful design has

resulted in a successful combination of state of the art technology and contemporary

décor with a bespoke finish throughout that does not detract from its practicality as

a family house. The lavish amount of space spans across four floors, incorporating six

bedrooms, six en-suites, a stunning open plan ground floor with drawing room and

kitchen, a cinema room and study. Outside there is a courtyard terraced garden.

locationVictoria Park Price£6,000,000Property typeConverted Church HallContactHomes in West Essex 020 85040977

ProPErty dEtailS

SHEER WONDERToday, stepping into the great open expanse of the astounding entrance hall, the ornate white marble staircase, which took eight weeks to construct, makes an immediate statement. With its intricate and beautifully finished, hand-made balustrade, it is the focal point around which the fabulous spaces of Lith Hall span out.

“Everything has been carefully book-matched,” explained the owner. “My wife used a lot of wonderful materials, including many that were natural. She wanted to create spaces that looked wonderful but were not ostentatious.

“She brought in interesting pieces that were reclaimed and used unusual touches, such as the murals, painted by an artist, who was specially flown in from Poland.”

LIFE AND STyLEThe balance between exciting aesthetics and ease of living has been achieved magnificently, he stressed.

“Whenever I walk into the house I feel its amazing vibe. No matter where I am – the stunning master bedroom, with its beautiful, marble en-suite bathroom, or the cinema room – there is an overwhelming ‘wow factor’ – yet at the same time it feels homely,” he said. “Every room has a bespoke finish.”

He went on: “There is so much to love about this house. I like standing at the windows and looking out at the green of the park opposite. I love watching the children as they enjoy all this space to play in.”

AMAZING SPACEOn warm days, bi-folding doors from the kitchen can be pulled right back, allowing easy access to the garden.

During the evening, and at night, the mood changes throughout Lith Hall, as the intelligent lighting system is brought into play.

“The house is wonderful with the natural light during the day - then at night it almost becomes somewhere else,” he said.

“I do not think I will ever find a home like this again. It is amazing.”


CASTLE IN THE SKYBUILT ON THE ESTATE WHERE HENRY VIII ONCE HAD HIS HUNTING

LODGE, VISITED BY QUEEN VICTORIA AND LIVED IN BY A ROCK

LEGEND – THE TOWER IS A HOME WITH MANY TALES TO TELL



from her glorious roof garden, Jennifer lacoste looks out

across the magnificent surrey surroundings she describes

as “sylvan.” she bought the six-storey home, which is believed

to be the highest point in the county, in 1996 after falling in love

with it as it was being restored.

“I loved its hexagonal rooms and its beautiful entrance hall with

its exquisite trompe l’oeil paintings, as well as the incredible

views,” she explained. since then, she has discovered the building

has amazing historical significance. she added: “this is a wonderful

home. when I saw it, I thought it would be almost impossible to

find somewhere as special in such proximity to london.”

royal VIsIts

the ruxley estate once belonged to westminster abbey but after

the dissolution of the monasteries, it passed to henry VIII, who

“I loved its hexagonal rooms and its beautiful entrance hall with its exquisite Trompe l’Oeil paintings, as well as the incredible views.”

a unique, listed building with considerable historical

significance. the tower is arranged over six floors, with

incredible views as far as london to the east and the

chilterns to the west.

locationsurreytype of houseunique conversion

price£2,900,000contacthomes in surrey 01372 841910

PROPeRTy deTAIlS

would bring hunting parties from london out to the countryside

here. It belonged to george evelyn at the tail end of the 16th

century, who was reputed to have introduced gunpowder to

this country and in the 18th century it was owned by england’s

wealthiest man, william beckford. “In 1870, the ruxley estate was

bought by lord foley, who built the tower and west wing for his

wife, lady evelyne. Queen Victoria was reputed to have taken tea

with her at the tower – and the future edward VII is also thought

to have visited,” said Jennifer. In fact, one tale from the past suggests

the property was deliberately built by lord foley to be higher than

Queen Victoria’s childhood home at nearby claremont.

this most unusual building has continued to create interest. the

following decades have seen the tower almost turned into film

studios and pass into the ownership of the navy, army and air force

Institution for the duration of world war II as its headquarters.

CHALK And CHeese witH Heston

FAMOUS FOR SNAIL PORRIDGE BUT ADDICTED TO PRAWN COCKTAIL, HESTON BLUMENTHAL

CAN COME ACROSS AS A BIT OF A CONTRADICTION. SARAH O’MEARA FINDS OUT WHY

THE KITCHEN BOY WONDER’S LATEST COOKBOOK ISN’T jUST FOR SCIENTISTS


FINE Dining

If you want to see food through heston blumenthal’s eyes, pop a biscuit in your mouth, pinch your nose and breath in. It won’t taste of much as flavour comes

entirely via aroma molecules, he explains. but it’s the kind of experiment that inspires his day-to-day cooking and has helped him to turn dining out into a quixotic art form.

In his latest book, Heston Blumenthal at Home, the three michelin-starred chef attempts to lay bare his thought processes, without recourse to the epic commands contained in his seminal 532-page big fat duck cookbook of three years ago.

Just to recap, his bacon and ice cream mixture needed to infuse for 10 hours, then mature for another 10, before you poured on liquid nitrogen.

this time sizzling culinary facts – both technical and trivial – intermingle with easy-to-imitate recipes mostly confined to one page of text.

“If you ask me for my guilty pleasure, it’s prawn cocktail,” says blumenthal. “when I was growing up in the seventies you could only get one type of pasta, and you could only get olive oil from chemists, but that’s not to say there wasn’t food from that era you didn’t grow to love. for me it’s prawn cocktail.”

“when I get home late after working in the fat duck there’s nothing I like better than to raid the fridge for it. being such an addict, I’m deeply resistant to attempts to muck around with the ingredients, but putting a little chopped basil and tarragon into the mix introduces some fresh, lively extra flavour, as does scraping the seeds from a vanilla pod and adding them to the mayonnaise.”

“It’s funny as we think of vanilla as sweet, but if you chew a vanilla pod, it’s as bitter as coffee.”

reading his cookbook, filled with tips on how to cook ‘sous-vide’ style (food sealed in airtight plastic bags and plunged in a warm water bath) and the joys of smoking candyfloss, it’s easy to get absorbed by his bold tactics.

even if you do think spritzing kirsch into the air to accompany your black forest gateau, or smearing fan blades with a maritime scent to accentuate the flavour of your salmon dish, might be going too far.

“I’m a bit weird,” admits blumenthal, as he analyses why he cooks in such extreme terms, and dreams up dishes such as snail porridge.

“we’ve got a psychometric test we do for staff, and I thought, ‘I’ll do it myself ’. It tends to put people in two categories – creative or logical. I’m literally chalk and cheese. I’m left-handed with chopping and writing, everything else right-handed.”

this could well explain how his madly creative impulses sit so easily alongside a love of rational, scientific exploration. during the past four years, tV viewers have been treated to his extreme approach via his feasts series, little chef and heston’s mission Impossible.

last year he opened his second high-end restaurant, dinner, which provides a tour of britain’s culinary past and includes your average blumenthal twists, such as meat fruit (chicken liver parfait wrapped in mandarin jelly to make it look like a tangerine).

“so that involves tasting, and tasting, and tasting, and tasting, and tasting, and tasting. fear of failure is a big driving force so I know I have to drop myself into one situation, pull myself out and then do it again, trying to keep my head above water.”

although it’s hard to imagine blumenthal’s ever less than 100% in control while in the kitchen, he begs to differ. “there are some times when you think, ‘I’ve bitten off more than I can chew’. even with feast. In the second series, we were panicking the day before, thinking we had nothing to serve. but because of the length of the programme you don’t see all that. I’d be like, ‘I have a problem’. next scene ‘oh I’ve fixed it’. you miss the bit where I was madly panicking!”

top RestAuRAnts ARound tHe woRLdJoëL RobuCHon, LAs VegAs

run by chef of the century Joël robuchon, recipient of an incredible 24 michelin stars, this las Vegas restaurant is so exclusive you will have to book at least 6 months in advance to secure one of only five tables. heralded as the finest example of french cuisine

in the united states, the menu includes oscetra caviar, smooth cauliflower cream, and delicate gelée of green asparagus.

ARAgAwA, toKyorenowned as the most expensive restaurant in the world, aragawa is found within an unassuming basement setting in tokyo’s business district. with minimal décor more traditionally found in a sushi bar diners might be surprised to find aragawa serves only steak. kobe beef to be precise – a meat that comes from cows that are hand-fed, drink sake and are massaged everyday to produce the most tender beef available.

ALAin duCAsse Au pLAzA AtHénée, pARis10,000 crystals glitter down from the elegant chandeliers within the dining room at alain ducasse’s flagship paris restaurant. popular with parisian high society it is located just of the champs elysées and serves the most exquisite langoustine amuse-bouche and

lobster in spiced wine with quince. chef alain ducasse is the first chef to own restaurants carrying three michelin stars in three different cities.

ossiAno RestAuRAnt, dubAicatalan chef santi santamaria presides over one of dubai’s most striking restaurants, ossiano. surrounded by a lagoon of exotic fish, the interior is styled like neptune’s palace and the food is an extravagant mix of michelin starred mediterranean flavours. overlooking the ambassador lagoon, diners will be transfixed with the views of coral reefs, stingrays and brightly coloured creatures as they dart past – a truly unique experience from a desert location.

MAsA, new yoRKmasa is new york city’s most extravagantly priced restaurant. specialising in omakase sushi, the interior is decorated using a rare piece of $60,000 hinoki wood. the ingredients used are flown in from Japan by request of chef masa,

considered one of the most celebrated chefs in the usa. masa is one of only seven restaurants in the city awarded the maximum four out of four stars by the new york times.

tuRn oVeR foR tHRee ReCipes fRoM Heston bLuMentHAL At HoMe

at one point when we were opening dinner, we had 600 dishes in

development between the restaurants, television, waitrose and other projects.


FINE Dining

(serves 6)

2 racks of lamb, weIghIng approx 500g each

extra VIrgIn olIVe oIl

16 sprIgs of thyme

4 sprIgs of rosemary

8 bay leaVes

salt

Jar of tapenade

you wIll need:

sous-VIde Vacuum bags

water bath (baIn-marIe)

pre-heat the water-bath to 60ºc. place the racks in two individual sous-vide bags with 15g each of oil and the herbs divided between them.

seal the bags under full pressure, and place in the bath for one hour. remove the bags from the bath and remove the racks from the bags, discarding the herbs. pat dry. (alternatively, place the sealed bag in a basin of iced water at this stage and refrigerate until required.)

season the lamb with salt. coat the bottom of a large frying pan generously with olive oil and place over a medium-high heat. when the oil is hot but not smoking, add the lamb and cook for four minutes, flipping the rack every 15 seconds, until the meat is brown on each side.

If the pan begins to smoke, lower the heat. remove the lamb from the pan and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes before coating with the tapenade. divide into cutlets to serve.

(serves 4)

110g tomato ketchup

100g mayonnaIse

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

worcestershIre sauce, 12 drops

10g lemon JuIce

salt and black pepper

400g cooked shelled prawns

1 Iceberg lettuce, fInely shredded

1 aVocado, peeled and dIced

combine the tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, cayenne pepper, worcestershire sauce and lemon juice in a bowl and mix thoroughly. season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

add the prawns to the sauce and stir to coat. place the shredded lettuce on the bottom of four glasses or glass bowls, followed by the diced avocado, and then a generous spoonful of prawns and sauce.

RACK of LAMb

pRAwn CoCKtAiL


FINE Dining

to start the eccles cakes, melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then add the sugar and heat until the mixture begins to bubble. remove the pan from the heat and stir in the currants, vinegar and allspice. allow to cool completely.

portion the mixture into 16x25g balls, put on a tray and place in the freezer for 1 hour. roll out the pastry to a thickness of 3mm, then cut out 16 circles using a pastry cutter (approximately 9cm). brush the circles with egg wash, then place the frozen filling in the centre of the circles and wrap the pastry around it. press together the overlapping edges to seal, and roll between your hands to form a perfect ball. turn each cake over so the join is on the bottom and slash the top with a knife three times.

place the cakes in the freezer for at least 30 minutes (they can be left in the freezer at this stage if making them in advance of serving).

meanwhile, for the potted stilton, put the stilton, mascarpone, butter and salt into a bowl and blitz with a hand blender until smooth.

gently warm the sherry, 55g cold tap water and the sherry vinegar together in a small saucepan until almost simmering.

slowly add the sherry and water to the cheese and mix carefully until well combined. decant into small ramekins or a single bowl and place in the fridge to set (approximately 1 hour).

to bake the cakes, pre-heat the oven to 200ºc. brush the surface of each cake with egg wash and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown.

take the potted stilton out of the fridge 10 minutes before serving with the warm eccles cakes.

(makes 16 mini eccles cakes)

for the eccles cakes:

100g unsalted butter

150g unrefIned caster sugar

200g currants

25g red wIne VInegar

5g ground allspIce

500g all-butter puff pastry

egg wash (1 egg yolk beaten wIth 2tsp mIlk)

for the potted stIlton:

100g stIlton, at room temperature

50g mascarpone

75g unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 tsp salt

30g pedro xIménez sherry

1/2 tsp sherry VInegar

Heston bLuMentHAL At HoMe is pubLisHed by bLooMsbuRy, pRiCed £30. AVAiLAbLe now

eCCLes CAKes witH potted stiLton


FINE Dining


The exquisite stone building, which dates back to the late 16th Century, has been transformed back into one magnificent family home

HEAVENLY HOME

£1,750,000Homes in Buckinghamshire 01908 969129

Relaxing in front of a glowing fire, Paul Boland reflects on the history of his restored family house, once home to the Duke of Newcastle

A NOBLE PAST

£750,000Homes in nottinghamshire 0115 9814509

MIDLANDS

Jonno O’Shea Regional Director for Fine in the Midlands

Jonno is a chartered surveyor who has been involved in the sale and purchase of top quartile homes and estates throughout the midlands since 1996. He has joined fine after a period with a national agency, where he ran a group of residential offices and prior to that where he was with Savills.

MARKET COMMENT: FINE IN THE MIDLANDS

WHAT A dIffeRenCe A yeAR mAKeS

The last year or so in the midlands has seen a sense of equilibrium return, although this has not been without detractors in the market, who have attempted to put buyers back on the fence whilst they watched for any short term outcome in their favour. The good thing is that the activity that did not happen last year seems to have come through this year and earlier than the norm too. viewings have not been interrupted by a cold snap and early sales have been very encouraging indeed. We had an open house in march which attracted 16 people in one hour! Homes are trading at realistic prices – ‘twas ever thus’ Jonno comments – but those that are too much money are really not getting anything like the interest they deserve. He challenges those homeowners that are moving in this market to focus on the gap between the sale and any onward purchase… or better still, to let fine to do that for them. He is confident that fine’s fresh and energetic approach can really make a difference.



Divine Inspiration

with its fairytale approach, delightful setting and fantastic accommodation, rectory grange, which has an indoor swimming pool and stables, is a home with a soul

£1,800,000Homes in Buckinghamshire 01908 969129

£850,000 She had always admired Hallams Lane, and the beautiful house with its impressive façade. So when it came on the market, she could not resist having a lookHomes in Nottinghamshire 0115 9814509

oiro £699,950With a swimming pool and 2.5 acres of land all set in an idyllic country location, Stewart and Rosalyn Tilley’s home offers the perfect family lifestyle surrounded by peace and tranquillity Homes in Lincolnshire 0115 9814509

£950,000The splendid house looked Victorian but inside it displayed wonderful Georgian features – and they vowed they would buy it one day if the opportunity aroseHomes in Leicestershire 0115 9814509

£695,000Designed by a multi award-winning team of experts, stunning Lime Tree Lodge is a work of art, nestling in sought-after Mapperley ParkHomes in Nottinghamshire 0115 9814509

CONTEMPORARY THINKING

£500,000Dating back to the mid-19th Century, his home was once part of an old stable block for Whaddon Hall – today it offers both comfort and convenienceHomes in Milton Keynes 01908 969129

£400,000Character-filled Pantiles is one of the oldest houses in the village and still embodies all the charm of a period home

Homes in Nottinghamshire 0115 9814509

A STABLE FUTURE COMFORT AND CHARM

CHARACTER-FILLED HOME

SOMEWHERE SPECIAL

STEPHENSONS’ HILL HOUSE


A VERY ENGLISH LIFE

IN THE HEART OF THE QUINTESSENTIALLy ENGLISH VILLAGE OF WEEDON, HE FOUND A HOME

WHERE HE COULD ENJOy THE GENTLE PACE OF LIFE AND ALSO RUN HIS BUSINESS

“Set in three acres of land, and on the edge of an unspoiled village, which had conservation

areas, it was very appealing.”


m oving to Weedon was all about making a lifestyle change for Graham Cording.

He moved to the pretty village, in the heart of Buckinghamshire, so he could

enjoy a very different way of living. “It was a lifestyle decision for us to move

here,” he explained. “Before that, I was doing a lot of travelling to work.

“Because there was a detached cottage here, as well as the house, I was able to work

from home.

“Set in three acres of land, and on the edge of an unspoiled village, which had

conservation areas, it was very appealing.”

WONDERFUL SPACES

The house is thought to have been built between 1910 and 1920. With beams, leaded

windows and fireplaces, it still has much of its original character, as well as plenty of space.

“It was a country home that we had the opportunity to refurbish,” he said.

“We lifted the carpets and found the original herring bone floor underneath, which we

sanded down and restored.

“We had a bespoke kitchen made in a traditional style and hand painted. We also installed

an Aga and had a new bathroom put in.”



PROPeRTy deTAIlSApproached via a long drive and boasting stunning countryside

views, Westmead House is a beautifully presented four-bedroom

home that is ideal for family living.

Additionally, there is a large well equipped detached office

building that can be used for business purposes or converted

back to family living.

Location

Weedon

Price

Guide price £999,995

Property type

Charming Country Home

Contact


The two-storey office building was once stables - this was

also renovated. With full planning permission for business

use, it could make a great place for someone else to work,

or could perhaps – subject to the relevant approvals –

become a self-contained annexe, or an annexe and work

space together.

“I have loved working here,” he added. “And other people

who have come to work here too have said the same.”

WELCOMING GUESTS

From the many windows in the house there are simply

stunning views out over the garden and the rolling green of

the Aylesbury Vale.

“The garden room is brick-built but has windows on three

sides,” he said.

“It looks out over the south-facing garden and beyond. I

spend a lot of time in there – it is just beautiful.”

He went on: “The drawing room is a traditional room,

which, with its wood-burner, has a lovely style. The dining

room has an open fire and is great for dinner parties.”

Westmead House has certainly seen some great

entertaining occasions in the decade or so that Graham

and his family have lived there.

“We had my daughter’s wedding reception here. We put a

large marquee where there had been a tennis court area

– we also did the same for my other daughter’s school

leaving party” he said.

“We have also hosted the annual Weedon fireworks

party here.”

DREAM HOME

There is a true sense of community in Weedon, he said.

From quiz nights for the adults to Easter egg rolling events

for the children, there always seems to be something

going on.

“I am leaving because the children are grown up and I am

downsizing but it has been a lovely place to live,” he said.

“The village itself is idyllic and the house is fantastic. Being

able to work from home has been wonderful for me.

“This place offers a complete lifestyle.”

“We have our own little ‘pub,’ which has been great for parties. We also have a disco or party room, with a dance floor, where we spend a lot of time entertaining friends and family.”


thE oWNErS oF thE caimENS admit thEy

WErE BloWN aWay WhEN thEy FirSt SaW

thE houSE, Which BoaStS a StuNNiNg

iNdoor Pool aNd lEiSurE arEa

Caribbean QUEEN

Just like a luxury holiday in the Cayman Islands, The Caimens offers five-star

accommodation complete with an indoor, lagoon swimming pool, five-tier gardens

with a breathtaking water feature and, inside, balmy temperatures all year round.

“When I come home from work I like to walk through the pool area because

it instantly relaxes me and makes me feel like I am on holiday,” said the owner.

The Caimens was built three years ago and named after the Caribbean island by

the developer. The stylish and elegant five-bedroom house has been built to a high

specification and the contemporary interior design is simply spectacular.

“The house is amazing, it is in a fantastic location close to woods and yet just five

minutes away from the city centre,” he said.

WATERSIDE LUXURy

The owners bought the house when it had just been built, but have put their own

stamp on it by decorating throughout and choosing furnishings.

“It is an extremely modern and contemporary-style home, which suited our family

needs and requirements,” he said. Built on three levels, the impressive pool facility

is on the ground floor and instantly creates a luxurious ambience. As well as the

swimming pool, there is a sauna and a large seating area complete with comfortable

sofas, bringing a relaxed feel. “The pool area has a sort of jungle theme to it and just

being in that space makes you feel good,” he said.

CASCADING FALLS

A lift accesses all three floors and the main living area is on the first floor. Materials

including glass, marble and brick create the state-of-the-art, open plan living area,

which is crowned by an awe-inspiring water feature. From a glass gallery, there is a

wall of water cascading down from the top floor to the swimming pool and next to it

is a quiet, seating area where the owners like to play chess or simply listen to the soft

sound of water falling.


“When I come home from work I like to walk through the pool area because it instantly relaxes me and makes me feel like I am on holiday.”

Few homes stand alone in their quality and design yet still offer the

comfort and space for both modern family living and entertaining. The

Caimens is one of these rare finds with beautiful accommodation that

combines five bedrooms and a lagoon-style indoor swimming pool

with open plan living. Outside there is a double garage with enclosed

courtyard for further parking and a garden designed on several levels

to incorporate a stunning water feature.

locationMapperley ParkPriceGuide price £1,600,000Property typeArchitect Designed Family HomeContactHomes in Nottinghamshire 0115 9814509

ProPErty dEtailS


Inspired by his role as captain Jack sparrow in disney’s pirates of the caribbean, oscar-winner Johnny depp bought his very

own tropical retreat. the laid-back bahamas lifestyle agreed with the actor who in 2004 purchased little hall’s pond cay in

the exumas region for $3.6m. It is an area of extreme natural beauty, one mile long and includes a protected coral reef.

with six beaches, a hideaway cottage and a tiki hut this has proved the ultimate getaway for depp and his family. Invitations have since been extended to other a-list stars

looking for privacy including troubled actress lindsay lohan.

CelebIsland Retreats

exotIc hIdeaways, luxury retreats and exclusIVe spas –

wIth money no obJect celebrItIes can Indulge In the ultImate escape

Little Hall’s Pond Cay, Bahamas

FINE Travel


Located in the Atlantic Ocean overlooking the Belize Barrier Reef, Blackadore Caye is a small yet picturesque island. Leonardo DiCaprio fell for this diminutive hideaway whilst holidaying at the nearby luxury resort Cayo Espanto. Purchased for $1.75 million, the actor has already shared his plans to create a five-star luxury resort based on

sustainable design and environmental conservation.

Famous for its diving sites, the water off Blackadore Caye is home to a vast array of exotic marine life – drawing diving fanatics from across the globe. DiCaprio hopes his project will offer an opulent experience with an environmental twist.

Blackadore Caye, Belize

Possibly one of the most inexpensive purchases ever made by the Virgin Empire mogul – Richard Branson’s private island residence was snapped up in 1978 for only a few hundred thousand pounds. An extensive million pound renovation using locally sourced materials produced a 10-bedroom Balinese-style villa known as the Great House and exclusive celebrity resort.

It is widely regarded as one of the most decadent settings for a glittering party for the Hollywood elite. Private beaches, numerous swimming pools, a spa, tennis courts and personal chefs on standby ensure Necker Island is a first choice for those who can afford the £35,000 per night price tag.

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands


bought for $9 million by actor mel gibson, this idyllic tropical island set within the southwest pacific ocean comprises of a stunning 5,400 acres making it the largest privately owned space in the region.

Virtually uninhabited, gibson has found an exotic retreat away from the glare of the paparazzi. Instead of a sprawling luxury resort, the actor has instead built a modest residence and village for the island’s caretakers, who maintain the forest and grounds. mago is so exclusive that visitors can only arrive by private jet onto the airstrip at the island’s centre.

Island, Fiji

Mago


Money No Object

gold facIal, beVerly hIllsbook yourself in at umo america for the

ultimate luxury spa treatment and have your face brushed with 24-karat gold leaf, which is

said to preserve youthful skin.

hot aIr balloon safarIwitness from above the breathtaking landscape and majestic wildlife of the african savannah in

your very own luxury hot air balloon.

saIl the maldIVestake to the Indian ocean in style and

charter a private yacht around the archipelago. Vessels include a hot tub

on deck and onboard staff.

dIamond shoppIng In geneVa

with the biggest names in the diamond trade based in geneva it is considered the must-visit

capital when purchasing the finest jewels.

world’s most expensIVe cocktaIl

experts at burj al arab’s sky View bar, dubai mix the most extravagant ingredients before serving

the 27.321 cocktail in an 18-karat gold glass.

the mansIon at mgm grand

renowned as one of the most exclusive resorts in las Vegas, the mansion at mgm grand has its

own casino, luxurious spa and private garden.

elephant trekkIng In thaIland

tour the lush rainforests on the back of an elephant. your bamboo seat with canopy offers the perfect

vantage point to see exotic birds of paradise.

the orIent expressdeparting from london the luxurious Venice-simplon orient express travels to eight major european destinations

offering 1920’s style decadence.

the monte carlo casInoroll dice and play cards in europe’s legendary

casino. be seen in this prestigious bello-époque setting renowned for its celebrity clientele.

dIne on yubarI melonIn Japan one of the most refined desserts is a yubari melon. this exquisite fruit is so

sought after a perfectly produced pair once fetched 2.5 million yen.

exclusIVe ways to spend your fortune

FINE Travel


FINE

the elms, abrIdgethe elms could be one of the finest properties I have seen in 17 years of being an estate agent. from the moment I enter, the sheer quality of the home is striking. I enjoy the gadgets and mod cons this home provides, including the ipod docking station in the hallways and landings, cinema room and the lutron lighting throughout. as for my favourite parts of the house I am torn between the stunning far-reaching views across the countryside or the leisure facilities with the steam room, offering the perfect sanctuary to escape the pandemonium of family life. what better way is there to pamper oneself than to take a dip in the beautiful pool with its surrounding mood lighting?

Favourites

£4,500,000

Homes in West Essex020 85040977

The owners of The Elms have built a dream family home, incorporating clever design and environmentally friendly technology

a modern manor

Lee HassonBranch Manager

“There are completely uninterrupted views from

all around the house.”

Buckinghamshire FINE FOCUS

FINE Buckinghamshire

A COUNTy OF GREAT SURPRISES AND A BEAUTIFUL LOCATION IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK – BUCKINGHAMSHIRE IS A MAGICAL PLACE

Just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of London, Buckinghamshire boasts some of the most beautiful and best-loved countryside England has to offer. With the Chiltern Hills stretching away to Oxfordshire in the south

west and Bedfordshire in the north east, it’s easy to understand why this county has been one of the most sought-after places to live for centuries. But what is it actually like to live there? We take a look at some of the great amenities and properties that Bucks has to offer.

Retail TherapyWHEN IT COMES TO SHOPPING, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF RETAIL OUTLETS. IN ADDITION TO SOME EXCELLENT SHOPPING CENTRES, ITS TOWNS AND VILLAGES ARE jOSTLING WITH INDEPENDENT SHOPS AND MANY EXCLUSIVE BOUTIQUES.

Perhaps the most well-known retail venue is the Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre. Comprising thecentre:mk (a modern Grade II Listed building dating from the 1970s) along with Midsummer Place, you’ll find everything from national chains like Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and John Lewis to dozens of smaller, specialist shops. On four days of each week there is also an indoor market at thecentre:mk, while Midsummer Place is a sophisticated and fun venue to shop with plenty of fashion boutiques and street-side cafés to choose from.

A little further south in the heart of High Wycombe is the well-known Eden shopping centre. Combining national chains with local retailers, it’s also an entertainment hub offering a cinema, bowling centre and a wonderful selection of eateries.

However, if you are looking for something a little different, why not explore the beautiful market towns like Marlow, Haddenham and Great Missenden – and the pretty country roads that connect them. When you reach the Stowe area, be sure to discover the highly regarded Boycott Farm. The farm shop stocks home produced Aberdeen Angus beef, Gloucester Old Spot pork and free-range eggs, not to mention a selection of quiches, pastries, meringues and more. And if that isn’t enough to tantalise the taste buds, then be sure to visit the farm’s Hayloft Restaurant and Tearoom for outstanding food produced from local ingredients.

Marlow


Fine DiningBUCKINGHAMSHIRE IS HOME TO SOME SUPERB PUBS AND RESTAURANTS. WHETHER YOU LOVE TO SAMPLE DISTINCTIVE FLAVOURS OR YOU’RE LOOKING FOR OLD FAVOURITES, YOU’LL FIND CUISINE TO SATISFY EVERY TASTE.

For the best of British food with a splash of the continent, the Hand and Flowers pub in Marlow is a treat. Modern British flavours share the menu with rustic French dishes and every plate is served exquisitely. Inspired menu choices include Braised Pearl Barley with Slow Cooked Somerset Hare, Loin of Cotswold Venison with Ox Tongue, Bérigoule Mushroom, English Lettuce and Prickly Ash – and a delightful Warm Pistachio Sponge Cake with Melon Sorbet and Marzipan. Wow – no wonder the Hand and Flowers has two Michelin stars.

Adam Simmonds at Danesfield House is another Michelin starred restaurant offering modern European cuisine just outside Marlow. Danesfield House is also much more than a restaurant – this country house hotel has a first-class spa and 65 acres of manicured gardens, making it truly one of Buckingham’s finest jewels.

However, no feature on Buckinghamshire would be complete without mentioning the Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield. Described by METRO as a “hotel with decor to take your breath away...” this remarkable venue is certainly a visual celebration of luxury that offers an exceptional experience. Glamorous, decadent and festooned with crystal-studded furniture, chandeliers and mirrored ceilings, the hotel has rooms that are decorated like a series of fantasy French boudoirs. Appetites can be satisfied in one of the opulent restaurants serving English, Thai and Italian cuisine.


Crazy Bear

Hands and Flowers

Danesfield House



Places to VisitAMID SOME OF ENGLAND’S MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF VILLAGES AND MARKET TOWNS TO EXPLORE. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A SPECIAL DAY OUT, THERE ARE MANY EVENTS AND PLACES OF INTEREST TO CHOOSE FROM – WE HAVE SELECTED jUST A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITES.

Every year Buckinghamshire celebrates one of its’ most famous residents; the author Roald Dahl. The Roald Dahl Festival takes place over the summer in Aylesbury and includes a parade based on characters and themes from his books. It’s a fantastic experience for young and old alike.

Dorney Lake near Windsor is a purpose-built rowing lake owned by Eton College and a great place to relax. It is also due to host rowing events at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

If Victorian grandeur is more your preference then Waddesdon Manor is a must-see. Set in one of the finest Victorian gardens in the country, it was originally built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild between 1874 and 1889 to showcase his art collection. Today it is operated by the National Trust and is one of its most visited paid-entry stately homes.

Buckinghamshire has also made an outstanding contribution to British history and security thanks to Bletchley Park, which houses the National Codes Centre and National Museum of Computing. It was here that the Government Code and Cypher School worked to decrypt messages and provide valuable intelligence for the war effort.

Another historical and fun day out for the whole family can be found at The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway – a heritage railway with its main station at Chinnor on the Buckinghamshire-Oxfordshire border. Old steam locomotives still run, and will instantly transport you and your family back to the grand age of steam.

Top Class EducationTHE SCHOOLS IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ARE EXCELLENT – AND THEY’RE A GREAT INCENTIVE TO LIVE IN THE COUNTY.

For private education, the famous Wycombe Abbey school for girls is one of the highest achieving schools in the country. Situated amid 160 acres near High Wycombe in the Chilterns, Wycombe Abbey boasts some of the most beautiful and inspiring grounds a student could wish for – including woods, gardens and a lake. Primarily a boarding school, it also caters for a small number of day girls – known within the school as ‘day boarders’.

Stowe School is another leading light in Buckinghamshire. Based at Stowe House, once the country seat of the Dukes of Buckingham and Chandos, it boasts a Grade I Listed building as well as an enviable estate that includes a first class cricket ground. Founded in the 1920s, famous alumni include David Niven, Prince Rainier III of Monaco and George Melly.

Buckinghamshire is also home to some excellent grammar schools and is one of the few counties to retain the selective 11 plus. Many of these schools rank among the top 200 in the country for GCSE and A-Level results with notable top achievers including Burnham Grammar School in Slough, Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow and Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in Amersham, while Beaconsfield High School is also highly regarded.

The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway

Waddesdon Manor



Property Hot SpotAS WITH SURREy, BERKSHIRE AND KENT, BEAUTIFUL COUNTRySIDE WITHIN EASy DISTANCE OF LONDON HAS MADE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE PROPERTIES A HIGHLy SOUGHT-AFTER COMMODITy AND THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF LUXURy HOMES.

An unfinished country mansion house with 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms in sought-after Chalfont St. Giles hits the upper end of the scale at £6,000,000, while a 6-bedroom house in the same area can be had for £2,650,000.

If it’s a question of space, a 5 bedroom and 3 bathroom home in Walton Park can start at £575,000, in a privately situated area with wraparound garden or if you prefer to be at the centre of things, a beautiful 2-bedroom apartment in a listed building in Taplow is available for £599,950 – with all the trappings and security of its counterparts in the city and only a stone’s throw from the magnificent Italianate mansion Cliveden, an historic property that’s now a five-star hotel with spectacular National Trust managed gardens.

Meanwhile, for those looking for a rural idyll in a beautiful countryside setting of Buckinghamshire, a farmhouse with 24 acres in Chalfont St. Giles makes the perfect countryside retreat and is ideal for equestrian enthusiasts. As with other properties in this area, this particular house commands a premium at £3,500,000.

For large families, properties with eight bedrooms are currently on the market commanding a price tag of £2,500,000 in Stoke Poges, while a seven-bedroom house in Little Chalfont has come on the market for £2,750,000.

Within the county, prices also vary and generally increase for properties within the Chilterns and close to London. For example, five bedrooms in Buckinghamshire can range from £475,000 in Milton Keyes to £2,650,000 in Beaconsfield.

It’s this very proximity to London, however, that also makes Buckinghamshire properties a good investment and ensures that they remain at the top end of Britain’s property ladder.

So, if you’re thinking about buying a house in Buckinghamshire there are many great reasons to do so – and the good news is there’s plenty of choice when it comes to both size and location. To find out more about living in this remarkable county or any of the homes mentioned above, please give one of our Fine branches a call on:

Gerrards Cross 01753 886177Milton Keynes 01908 969129

We would love to help you find your dream home in one of the UK’s most desirable locations.

Walpole House




FINE

fulmer park, fulmerapart from the incredibly luxurious kitchen and bathrooms, the use of beautiful woods and tiles creating a sleek unparalleled style…for me it’s the amazing surroundings. from the raised 750ft elevated entertaining terrace and every window and door the views are simply breathtaking. a red Japanese style bridge leads to enchanted woodland with labelled specimen trees, some over 300 years old. hedge upon hedge of rhododendrons, carpets of spring flowers – the fauna and flora of this 4.25 acre (stms) site is priceless. nurtured, loved and developed by the former landowner there cannot be a comparable house set in such beauty.

Favourites

Guide Price £5,250,000


Being able to walk in the parkland and watch the seasons change will be an incredible experience for whoever lives here

garden of eden

Susan KeverenAssistant Branch Manager“In autumn, the leaves are the most wonderful shades,

and in spring, all the bulbs come up. In the winter, when it is covered in snow, it is simply magical.”


The owners of Mumpumps were totally mesmerised by the idyllic setting of the Tudor farmhouse, which, with its own small pond, reminds them of a Monet painting

MAKING AN IMPRESSION

Guide price £895,000 - £925,000Homes in Kent & Sussex 01892 458931

When they first saw Shelton House they realised it offered everything they were looking for – a fantastic location and plenty of space for the children to play

SETTING THE STAGE

Guide price £825,000 - £850,000Homes in Kent & Sussex 01892 458931

SOUTH

nicola Rummery Regional Manager

nicola has worked in estate agency for around 27 years with a broad range of experience from the coast across the countryside and the Kent and Sussex villages. from Bexhill-on-Sea to Tunbridge Wells, Ticehurst and mayfield, she knows the region well. from her days in independent estate agency, through GA Property Services and Halifax estate Agents, in more recent years she has worked for freeman forman, from where she joined fine.

MARKET COMMENT: FINE IN THE SOUTH

eSCAPe fROm lOndOn TO COUnTRy lIfe fUelS demAnd

There continues to be a high demand from families relocating out of london for a better quality of life. This is ensuring that prices remain strong in the South particularly where access into london by rail is around one hour.

The Kent and Sussex countryside continues to be attractive for buyers looking to live in a more rural location yet retaining access to central london. An extensive choice of good quality private and state schools and grammar education also influence decisions over where families relocate.

The economic climate remains challenging and this has made potential buyers more careful about their financial commitments and long term plans.

Cash buyers looking for second homes and a change of lifestyle continue to emerge in the markets but their expectations are generally to find a quality country home in a good location at a realistic price.



HOUSE OF HISTORYstepping inside bletchenden manor farm, he was wowed by its historical features and its beauty, as well as its great location

£1,650,000 Homes in Kent 01892 458931

£479,000Within beautiful surroundings they discovered a period home full of charm and character, which was convenient for both work and leisure Homes in Kent & Sussex 01892 458931

£425,000Before he had even seen the beautiful views towards Burwash, he was won over by the stunning interior spaces at The Barn

Homes in Kent & Sussex 01892 458931

£625,000Breathtaking interiors, stunning leisure spaces and an incredible garden – the owners have considered every detail in the creation of their magnificent dream homeHomes in Kent & Sussex 01892 458931

£385,000 With its imposing oak pillared porch and arched front door, the classic Victorian exterior of Autumn End appealed to Katherine and Craig immediatelyHomes in Kent & Sussex 01892 458931

IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN

£240,000They had passed the cottage on many occasions and often wondered what it would be like to live in a home with so much character and charmHomes in Kent & Sussex 01892 458931

Guide price £425,000 - £450,000The home had a wealth of character and had been beautifully renovated – on top of that it took in a magnificent panoramaHomes in Kent & Sussex 01892 458931

COTTAGE DREAM THEIR OWN VIEW

HIDDEN PLEASURES SHEPHERD’S DELIGHT

HEART OF OAK


BRIGHT AS A BUTTON

BUTTONS HOUSE HAS PROVIDED THE OWNERS WITH AN IDyLLIC COUNTRy HOME,

PERFECT FOR FAMILy LIFE, BUT WITHIN EASy REACH TO LONDON


W hen Stuart and Deborah first saw Buttons House 11 years ago, they instantly

knew they had found the perfect home. “It was love at first sight. We had

been looking for a year in Sussex and Kent but every other house we had

seen had involved a compromise. We particularly wanted a truly peaceful location and a

country upbringing for our son but Stuart worked in London so we needed a good station

nearby and we also wanted to be able to walk to village shops and local pubs.”

The four/five bedroom house is surrounded by well planted mature gardens and has a

heated outdoor swimming pool. The adjoining paddock borders the Wadhurst Park estate

and it is possible to watch magnificent stags roaming there.

“A stream full of trout trickles through the lush grounds of Buttons House

where wild garlic grows in abundance.”

“Edward and Mrs Simpson used to hide away in a house just up the lane and he

made a rose garden for her there. I don’t think the area has changed much since then

and Buttons definitely has a timeless feel. It is private and peaceful without feeling isolated

or remote.”

There are two railway stations within a few minutes’ drive with services into Central

London taking around 50 minutes.

“We still wake up each morning feeling as though we are on holiday. We have always felt

very lucky to be here and have enjoyed every moment of the last 11 years.”



PROPeRTy deTAIlSSituated down a country lane on the edge of this highly desirable

village, Buttons is a four/five bedroom character-filled home that

enjoys the tranquillity of its stunning surround. Nestled amid

approximately 1.7 acres (STMS) of grounds that are bounded by

a stream and adjoin Wadhurst Park, the house is also ideal for

commuters offering easy access to London.

Location

Wadhurst

Price

£1,150,000

Property type

Charming Unlisted Cottage

Contact

Homes in Sussex and Kent 01892 458931

FARMING HISTORy

Parts of the house are thought to be the original farmhouse

but it was largely rebuilt after the second world war as two

cottages and later returned to one large house. Though

it retains the lovely feel of a period property, it has good

ceiling heights and is not listed. It also offers significant

potential to extend (STPP).

“We know the house was one of four farms serving

Wadhurst Park in the 19th Century and that there has been

a farmhouse in this location for hundreds of years. Local

historians told us that the house and surrounding land, barns

and workers’ cottages were originally a single farm bought

by Arthur Buttons in around 1650.”

Since moving in the couple have improved the property

and upgraded the electrics, plumbing, windows, roof and

insulation. They installed a new boiler and laid new carpets

two years ago. The kitchen and bathrooms have been

refurbished with tumbled terrazzo tiling, solid granite work

surfaces and digital Aqualisa showers. The pool terrace was

recently laid with Indian Sandstone and the summerhouse,

stables and oak cart lodge have been gradually added during

their time there. “We have always had rather expensive taste

and have lavished a lot of love on our home.”

OUTDOOR DINING

In decorating the couple have tended to use Farrow &

Ball paints and have preferred big rugs on the oak floors

downstairs to fitted carpeting. “We love cooking and

entertaining and we spend a lot of time in the kitchen and

have our breakfast in here in the winter. In the summer we

usually have breakfast in the cart lodge or by the pool as it

is a real suntrap.” The family also make use of the wonderful

outdoor spaces they have created often inviting friends over

for barbecues and eating al fresco. “The house is wonderful

for parties, the space flows really well and you can open

the windows and doors at the back of the house and link it

seamlessly with the outside space and swimming pool.”

MAGIC MEMORIES

Though the family love the summers, they never mind when

winter comes because the house is so cosy. “We light the log

fire in the drawing room and it becomes the heart of our

home. The lovely dining room is always used by the family

and when friends come to stay. We often lose all track of

time and sit at the table for hours after dinner. At Christmas

time the house really comes into its own,” she said. “It is a

magical Christmas house and we decorate with fresh holly

from the garden and put little white lights in some of the

trees. The starry skies here are beautiful in winter.”

“Living at Buttons has been a very special and memorable period of our lives and we have enjoyed every minute of it.”


In an area alIVe wIth tales from the past, theIr hIstorIc

home enJoys stunnIng surroundIngs, where they

can walk, rIde and soak up the glorIous scenery

TO THE

MANOR BORN

S itting down to a family meal in the baronial dining hall or relaxing under the

tudor ceiling of the sitting room, miranda and garry rigden relish the history

of their lenham heath home. the grade II* listed property, which is thought

to date back to at least 1251, and includes an annexe and outdoor swimming pool, as

well as equestrian facilities, has a wealth of exquisite period features but also offers

comfortable living in a simply beautiful spot. “we are just down from the pilgrims’ way

and the building was once part of a monastery. pilgrims would stop off here on their

way to canterbury,” said miranda. “It has also been part of a farm and, although it is

no longer there, there was once a mill pond behind the house too.”

hIstorIc welcome

from the unusual, intricate details, such as the diamond-patterned sitting room ceiling

to the revealed beams and exposed brickwork, the character of five-bedroom royton

manor is still very much in existence.

“we did realise we would have to carry out work on the house when we first

saw it 18 years ago,” she said. “but it was one of those homes that just felt lovely

as soon as you walked in. “we have updated all the bathrooms and the kitchen.

we have modernised parts of the house but we have not changed the way it feels

at all.”

all seasons

décor has been kept simple to make the most of the wonderful features. furniture

has been brought in to complement the period style in the seven-reception room

home. “one of my favourite rooms is the dining hall, with its oak panelling and striking

wood-burner,” she stressed. “In the winter, it is really cosy. In the summer, we open the

massive front door on to the garden.” she added: “the dining hall is a great space for

having people over. It looks incredible when the table is laid and the candles are lit. If

we take the table out, it turns into a superb party room.”


“We are just down from the Pilgrims’ Way and the building was once part of a monastery. Pilgrims would stop off here on their way to Canterbury.”

nestled within three and a half acres (stms) of grounds and

with stunning views across paddocks and countryside, mellow

grade II* listed royton manor is sure to charm.

the interior includes five bedrooms, seven reception rooms and

an abundance of character features, while outside you will find

stables, a ménage and a swimming pool.

Locationlenham heathPrice£1,250,000Property typegrade II* listed country homeContacthomes in kent and sussex 01892 458931

PROPERTY DETAILS


A few of our Favourite Things

1FINE Favourite Things


1. carved velvet chaise longue £4,999 www.ikandi-interiors.co.uk 2. claret Jug (william & son) £1,645

www.williamandson.com 3. zeta fireplace £14,000 www.ecosmartfire.com 4. linari grandezza Imperiale

room fragrance diffuser 5000ml £633 www.linari.com 5. saint louis apollo caviar set £1,250

www.saint-louis.com 6. triflow tap by zaha hadid £9,800 www.triflowconcepts.com

7. Val saint lambert golf tee paperweight £90 www.val-saint-lambert.com

FINE Favourite Things

65

4

7

32


GoldFINE London Property

jUST HOW MANY MEDALS TEAM GB MANAGES TO SCOOP AT LONDON 2012 REMAINS TO BE SEEN – BUT THE OLYMPICS HAVE ALREADY STRUCK GOLD FOR THE CAPITAL’S PROPERTY MARKET. ABIGAIL SALTMARSH REPORTS

GOING FOR

With the Olympic Games glittering on the horizon, there is an exciting buzz about London at the moment – but there’s more to it than simply the world sporting event. Key sections of our nation’s capital have seen major investment and regeneration, and, according to experts in the field, this is having a major influence on the property market.

Ian Conway, brand manager at Felicity J Lord, said: “There is huge interest in property in East London at the moment. The start of this year has already been superb for the housing market. There are more buyers than stock at the moment and we are selling well above average so far this year,” he said.

“Prices have risen perhaps by about five to 10 per cent – the regeneration and investment that has gone into this area seems to be making this part of London a much more desirable place to live, and this is having a powerful impact on the property market.”

There is huge interest in property in East London at the moment


FINE London Property

THE MIDAS TOUCH

The transformation of the area is manifold, with major changes occurring on a daily basis that are affecting the lifestyles of those living in the area and having a major impact on business.

The Olympic Park is the largest park to be built in Europe for the last 150 years, while gleaming new shopping area Westfield Stratford City is the biggest retail-led, mixed-use urban regeneration project ever undertaken in the UK. Opened in September last year, it was a £1.45 billion development, comprising 1.9 million sq ft of retail and leisure facilities, as well as 1.1 million sq ft of office space, three hotels and homes.

It features around 300 shops, 70 food and beverage offers and is anchored by a John Lewis department store, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and a 17-screen, all-digital, state-of-the-art Vue cinema. As well as providing 25,000 construction jobs, it should also offer a total of 18,000 permanent jobs when every element of the scheme is fully completed.

GOLD RUSH

But the effects of the regeneration are reaching beyond the immediate locality. The area has also benefited from huge investments in transport infrastructure, which are making it ideally connected both internationally and locally, said Ian, including to London’s two main business centres – the City and Canary Wharf.

Stratford International station is now served by frequent Southeastern high-speed trains to and from London St Pancras International and stations in Kent – and Eurostar connections can be made via St Pancras International and Ebbsfleet International.

There has also been an extension of the Docklands Light Railway, and new and upgraded roads, bridges and streets have made road transport much easier.

“All of these elements come together to make this a much more desirable part of London in which to live,” he added.

Prices have risen perhaps by about

5to10%


Fine London Property

JeWeL in THe CROWn

Significant investment as a direct result of the Olympic Games, has, of course, seen the creation of The Village.

Lying adjacent to the Olympic Park, this will effectively create a whole new neighbourhood for East London and will result in 2,818 properties, including 1,379 affordable homes.

As well as the new homes, there will be education and healthcare facilities, new parklands, public squares and transport links. The new properties – designed for modern and sustainable living – will be spread across 11 residential plots and built around private courtyards with car parking.

There are also six designated future development plots, with existing outline planning consent, and the potential for 2,000 more open market homes to be developed, together with more retail floor space and associated uses.

PReCiOUS DeVeLOPMenTS

The creation of high quality new property in London is being seen as one of the strongest legacies of the Olympic Games.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I am extremely pleased that there is such a focus on delivering family-sized homes in this unique, new district emerging in our city.

As well as the desperate need in London for larger homes, I cannot think of a better place for families to settle and children to grow up. They will create the vibrant new communities so important for its success.”

And Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt said: “The Village will be the centrepiece of a new vibrant East London community and I am confident that these experienced property investors will deliver a modern, spacious neighbourhood that will contribute hugely to the regeneration of the area including the provision of much needed new housing.”

2,818 properties


Fine London Property

GLiTTeRinG SUCCeSS

Mariella Petralia, divisional lettings director of Felicity J Lord, said it was an exciting time to be in London.

As well as all these benefi ts, and of course all the fl agship sporting and community facilities we will see here once the games have fi nished, the whole profi le of the area is being raised.

“I live in this part of London myself and we are experiencing exciting developments and improvements almost on a daily basis,” she said.

She continued: “All this is having a direct effect on the property market. While we are not seeing the ridiculously high rental prices that were being widely publicised and hyped up, we have seen increases by about £150 a month and we are still experiencing a huge demand for properties in this area.” And she added: “This has become a part of London that people want to live in – because of the Olympics, it now has that prestige and cachet.”

The creation of high quality new property in London is being seen as one of the strongest legacies of the Olympic Games.

The architect-designed home, which captures glorious panoramas from almost every room, is currently on the market for £3,450,000.

“Refl ections is on an incredible plot by the River Thames and has been designed to capture the most amazing views out across the water, city, park and Tower Bridge,” said the agent marketing the property. “It is situated privately at the end of a cul-de-sac and features large expanses of glass and numerous entertaining areas, including a cinema room with drop-down screen, large south-facing terrace, open plan living and dining room, roof terrace with incredible views and sunroom.”

Complete with a lighting and music system throughout (Rako and Opus), featuring in-wall, touch panels and music that can be streamed from a PC, iPod, iPad, iPhone or Apple TV, the house has a superb fi nish. “The fi rst fl oor bedroom is extremely spacious and has WIR, as well as a bathroom with his and hers sinks, aqua TV and large windows overlooking the Thames,” he said.

“The four bathrooms all have high quality Duravit and Hansgrohe fi ttings, while the kitchen is designed in high specifi cation Corian and acrylic, and has Gaggenau appliances, including a coffee machine and wine fridge.” And he added: “This outstanding house, which has been nominated for a RIBA Award, has secure gated entry and off street parking.

“It is situated by the newly designated Village Green and Queen Elizabeth II nominated fi eld, King’s Stairs Gardens, and would offer an exceptional lifestyle to anyone looking to make the most of living in London at this exciting time.”

For further information please call:020 7089 6490

SHINING EXAMPLEREFLECTIONS IS A DAZZLING EXAMPLE OF THE STUNNING PROPERTY FINE HAS AVAILABLE RIGHT AT THE VERY HEART OF VIBRANT LONDON.


A MATURE APPROACH enjoying breakfast in their airy, orangery-style kitchen dining room, colin and carole watch the early morning mist lifting off the lawns Guide price £1,400,000Homes in essex 01206 564259

NOTHING CAN BE MORE ENJOyABLE THAN WATCHING THE LIGHT DANCE ON THE WATER AS THE

SUN GOES DOWN. COASTAL AND WATERSIDE PROPERTIES ALLOW THEIR OWNERS TO BE AT ONE

WITH THE NATURAL WORLD, OFTEN PRESENTING MAGNIFICENT VIEWS OF THE MOST GLORIOUS

STRETCHES OF LAKE, RIVER AND SEA. HERE, NOT ONLy CAN THE CHANGING COLOURS OF THE

LIGHT AND THE MOVING SEASONS CREATE AN EVER-EVOLVING LANDSCAPE BUT THE ARRAy OF

WILDLIFE CAN BE FASCINATING TO FOLLOW. WITH BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, FABULOUS RIVER WALKS

AND EXCITING LAKE ACTIVITIES, RIGHT ON THE DOORSTEPS, THESE HOMES OFFER MORE THAN

JUST WONDERFUL HOUSES IN WHICH TO LIVE.

COASTAL & WATERSIDE



£499,000Sitting in his stunning, open plan living area, listening to music or reading a book, Ian can glance up to watch the marsh harriers flying over the waterHomes in Norfolk 01603 622017

£475,000In the morning, they wake up to the beauty of the countryside around them, and in the evenings, they look out across the magnificent valley, to watch the sun setHome in Lincolnshire 0115 9814509

£700,000Standing in the sunshine on the bedroom balcony, watching the swans and looking out for seals, Brian and Jane O’Dell choose a flag to fly todayHomes in Essex 01206 564259

Prices from £795,000Stunning, contemporary design within buildings of the finest quality – The Officers’ Mess offers a taste of the glorious past and commands the greatest attentionHomes in Essex 01702 826037

FLYING THE FLAG

COASTAL HAVEN

RIVER SONG

VALLEY OF DREAMS

£575,000Homes in Norfolk 01603 622017

Guide price £975,000Homes in Surrey 01932 576600

PORT OUT, STARBOARD HOME

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Steeped in local history as the home of a famous boat builder, David and Sara Elliott have charted a course of their own at wonderful Sevenoaks

With land, stables and a huge lake, High Gables had everything she wanted – and she also loved its appearance, which reminded her of the house in the Wizard of Oz

On

ly TwO

Remain

ing


REACH FOR

THE STARS

WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS ACROSS THE GOLF COURSE AND THE SEA,

THE MAGNIFICENT LOCATION WAS WHERE STARS RICHARD BURTON AND

ELIzABETH TAYLOR DREAMED OF BUILDING A HOME


Waking up every morning to the heavenly panorama before her, the

owner of Sker Court still finds it hard to believe she has made her

home at the spectacular property. Built on land once intended for

the home of Hollywood stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, the luxury abode

sits in the most dramatic of locations, with uninterrupted views out over the Royal

Porthcawl Golf Course and the Atlantic. “years ago I lived nearby and my father and I

would look up at the house as we walked down to the beach,” she remembered. “We

used to imagine what the rooms were like behind the windows and wonder who

lived there. “I never dreamed that one day I would live there myself.”

PLACE OF LEGEND

Designed and built some 41 years ago, Sker Court, which features its own leisure

complex and two self-contained annexes, is truly unique. Named after the Viking

settlement of Sker, uncovered on the beach below, and next door to Sker House,

once said to have been home to the legendary Welsh “Maid of Sker,” it was created to

be the residence of a local businessman, and no stone was left unturned in ensuring

every last detail was perfect.

“His architect was from South Africa and was inspired by the breathtaking panoramic

views and the outlook over the golf course,” she said.

“It reminded him of home. The house was designed on plans of a South African

hunting lodge, and on a summer’s day, the surroundings could certainly be mistaken

for an African plain.”

“My father and I would look up at the house as we walked down to the beach. We used to imagine what the rooms were like behind the windows and wonder who lived there.”


“We have our own little ‘pub,’ which has been great for parties. We also have a disco or party room, with a dance floor, were we spend a lot of time entertaining friends and family.”


STRIKING HOME

Sker Court may be expansive but it is also homely and

welcoming, she stressed.

“As you approach up the long, windy drive, it is simply

spectacular. Everyone who comes here says they have never

seen anything like it before,” she said.

“It is a large home but it is cosy. It offers the whole package

– everything you could want.”

Inside, the house has been substantially updated since

the couple moved in and now boasts an exquisite finish

throughout. From the ornate galleried reception hall area to

the light-filled living spaces, and the hand-crafted oak kitchen,

with its granite work surfaces, to the Clive Christian-style

Set on the beautiful South Wales coastline and backing onto the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, is this stunning seven-

bedroom home. The property has been lovingly refurbished by the present owners and includes five reception

rooms, two kitchens and a fabulous swimming pool complex. Additionally there is the flexibility to create annexe

accommodation and you will find an integral garage for up to four cars.

LocationPorthcawlPrice£2,000,000Property typeStunning modern homeContactHomes in South Wales & Cardiff 029 2022 6129

“We also totally refurbished the leisure area, with its heated swimming pool, sauna, showers, changing room and gym – its like having your own spa!”

PROPERTY DETAILS

dressing room, all the furniture, fixtures and fittings are of an

outstanding quality.

“We also totally refurbished the leisure area, with its heated

swimming pool, sauna, showers, changing room and gym,”

she said. “The wet rooms are now in ‘Mandarin’ natural

stone while some of the bathrooms have a more classical

style, with roll-top baths.”

SUNLIGHT OVER THE WATER

With two kitchens, catering for parties is easy. Guests or

members of staff can be housed comfortably in the two

self-contained annexes.

“This is a wonderful house to have lots of people in,” she

said. “We often have parties for over 50 guests. When we

do, the entertainment suite complete with its own bar

comes into its own – but very often everyone ends up in

the kitchen!”

With so much space and such flexibility, Sker Court

could become anything from a private home to a retreat

or hotel.

“This is very much a home of all seasons. In the summer, we

can sit out on the balcony and enjoy the sunshine and the

views, and in winter we can light the wood-burner and swim

in the heated pool.”

And she added: “At any time of year, the views are absolutely

spectacular. When I go, I will miss those, as well as the

incredible sunsets. “Living here really is living the dream.”


“We really have been very, very lucky to be able to live in such a wonderful place, somewhere that is fabulous for entertaining.”


HOME AND THE BROAD

WITH GLORIOUS VIEWS OVER THE STILL WATERS OF OULTON BROAD, THE

MAGNIFICENT HOME HAS GIVEN THEM A TRULy UNIQUE LIFESTyLE AT THE

HEART OF ONE OF BRITAIN’S MOST BEAUTIFUL AREAS

E njoying evening drinks with friends as the lights from Vernette

twinkle on the water or waiting for guests to arrive by boat

for a special outdoor lunch – summers at Vernette are simply

a joy. The delightful property in sought-after Oulton Broad has

been in the current owner’s family for almost 50 years now but in

recent times has been substantially extended, renovated and given

a breathtaking, new, contemporary finish.

Set in stunning gardens, and with its own separate three-bedroom

cottage, as well as a wet and a dry boat house, the waterside home

has been redesigned to make the most of its incredible position. “We

really have been very, very lucky to be able to live in such a wonderful

place, somewhere that is fabulous for entertaining,” she said. “We have

had sit down meals for up to 30 guests, a marquee on the lawn and

barbecues at the end of the garden by the water’s edge.”

“As the garden is south-facing, we can be out there from first thing in the morning to last thing at night.”

Enjoying an idyllic location in sought-after Oulton Broad,

this wonderful family home offers four bedrooms, a stylish

kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room and a family room.

Situated amid the 1.3 acres (STMS) of stunning grounds

there is a three-bedroom coach house, a wet and dry boat

house and a private slipway to the broads.

LocationOulton BroadType of houseWaterside Home

Price£1,900,000ContactHomes in Norfolk 01603 622017

PROPERTY DETAILS

SPECTACULAR VIEWS

The couple began by setting to work on the superb gardens. They

then transformed the 19th Century coach house into a guest

cottage before starting on the main house. Here, large rooms now

boast great expanses of glass, which bring the incredible natural

views right into the home, and allow the owners to soak up the

scenery. “We doubled the size of the existing house, and gave it a

villa style,” she explained.

SUMMER DAyS

All the ground floor rooms now overlook Oulton Broad. Guests

flow easily between the living spaces and out through large doors

on to the first terrace. “The kitchen is a lovely room. Most people

who visit us are close friends, and they come straight round the

back and head to the fridge to find the wine or beer!”


AUSTINREED.CO.UKFind your nearest store at

AR_0271_0412 Fine mag FINAL.indd 1 13/4/12 11:46:16


FINE

bIrchwood house, tyrells woodwhen I was asked to write a piece about my favourite property it was difficult to decide, however, birchwood house is certainly somewhere I could see myself living happily. being an amateur tennis player the bonus of a beautiful tennis court, the idyllic gardens and its excellent location are a real draw.

added to this there is a ready made clubhouse overlooking the court for entertaining friends. It has ample space both inside and out to keep any family happy, with terraces and a beautiful solid wood conservatory leading off the kitchen.

Favourites

£1,625,000

Homes in Surrey 01372 383434

Heading along The Drive, one of the area’s most prestigious private roads, and turning in to approach the home, visitors are always impressed by Birchwood House

drive of distinction

Karen DiamondSenior Negotiator

“The bespoke kitchen opens up into the eye-catching conservatory, which itself flows smoothly out into the garden.”


take your pIck from the gadget world’s faVourItes aVaIlable on the market

DRy WATER JET MASSAGER

THE NEW iPAD

GO GO GADGET

BUGATTI DIVA ESPRESSO MACHINE

Get a shiatsu-style massage from the comfort of your own home with the Dry Water Jet Massager. This unit uses 28 nozzles to deliver streams of water that replicate a real massage, using a pliable polymer sheet to keep you dry. Features include adjustable water temperature, pressure, and pulse intervals, a built-in 7-inch LCD with DVD player, included Bose headphones, and an integrated aroma diffuser.

£20,000 www.hammacher.com

The ultimate in 3D home cinema projection, the SIM2 Lumis is a remarkable piece of technology harnessing the power of commercial cinema with 3-chip DLP and triple flash. A heavy price tag means only the most avid of home movie fans need apply.

£33,995 www.sim2.com

SIM2 LUMIS 3D-SThe third generation iPad has recently been released onto the market meeting its usual flurry of sales. New features include retina display, an A5X chip, 4G LTE support and 10 hours of battery life.

from £399 www.apple.com

The Bugatti Diva uses the traditional Italian espresso method to make espresso, cappuccino, latte and americano coffee. It is equiped with a powerful steam arm to froth milk. The Diva has a 15 bar water pump and a powerful 1050 watts heating element.

$1,500 www.casabugatti.it


ORGANIC HARMONy SPEAKER IN 18 CARAT GOLD

The Organic Harmony is a premium speaker and sound system, as well as a masterpiece of art. The Organic Harmony is a complete music system with built-in amplifiers, USB and Ethernet connection, as well as room correction and much more. you just have to connect one or more of your audio sources, be it iPhone, PC , CD player or other.

£430,000 www.shapeaudio.com

SEGWAy x2

The Roberto Cavalli for Ciclotte collection features 6 styles of stationary bikes featuring a minimal shape consisting of a wheel, seat, handlebar (which look more like animal horns) and comes in a variety of flashy colours and metal combos. It’s sure to be a conversation piece when guests come over.

£7,902 www.ciclotte.com

ROBERTO CAVALLI CICLOTTE BIKE

Liven up your commute with the technology that’s turning heads. Riding the X2 can take you places that a car and bicycle can’t- including inside many stores, offices and airports. But make no mistake; while a Segway is incredibly fun to ride it is serious transportation for people on the move.

£6,000 www.segway.com


WEST & WALES

marc Cottrell Regional Director, Fine in West & Wales

marc has been fortunate to have worked in the prime country market for many years, with a career that has spanned the coastal and rural marketplace across several counties including devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and dorset. In more recent years he worked in Countrywide’s specialist Country and Coastal Homes department and latterly for Jackson Stops and Staff.

MARKET COMMENT: FINE IN THE WEST & WALES

Dating back to 1540, the quintessential English, thatched-roof cottage offers a taste of history as well as opportunities for running a bed and breakfast guest house

TALES FROM THE PAST

£745,000Homes in dorset 01962 826050

The owners loved the presence of the handsome, old mill building and realised they could turn it into somewhere quite special inside

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

£1,300,000Homes in South Wales & Cardiff 029 2022 6129

A ReAlISTIC APPROACH TO mARKeT PRICInG Key

The prime country homes market has faired well over recent years compared to the core marketplace, particularly as purchasers who have large deposits are benefiting most from the low rates of interest currently offered by banks.

However, despite economic confidence having taken a knock more recently, the level of new applicants and new properties to the market has nevertheless remained on a steady course. The major qualification to this being, as is widely acknowledged, that those vendors who approach the market realistically toward the pricing of their home are the ones reaping the rewards. This pro-activity is achieving sales and allowing homeowners to move on with their lives.

A change of lifestyle is still a key motivator behind many purchasers seeking property in our more coastal and rural regions, and the volatile stock market and low interest rates for savers are helping to keep the buy-to-let and holiday home markets buoyant to investors.



THE SPLENDOUR OF THE ROSEIt was 10 years ago that they bought rosefield, drawn to the location by the sea and the countryside, since then they have renovated it and watched it come into full bloom

£2,300,000Homes in Hampshire 01962 826050

£2,600,000 With magnificent views out over the lake, the Avon Castle location was the perfect place to create a stunning, contemporary manor with every conceivable comfortHomes in Hampshire 01962 826050

£560,000 As a teenager, the owner visited The White House when it was a restaurant, little knowing the character-filled cottage would one day become her family home Homes in West Sussex 01730 858092

£799,950She visited the cottage in its stunning valley setting frequently – and she made the owner promise that if he ever wanted to sell it, he would give her first refusalHomes in South Wales & Cardiff 029 2022 6129

£1,750,000 Ten balconies to take in the forest and river views, cutting edge design and latest technology pay dues to a fusion of classical and contemporary style Homes in Hampshire 01962 826050

CASSINI ROYALE

£950,000Once a smugglers’ haunt, the thatched cottage is today a treasure that is alive with history. yet under its ancient beams it also makes a great party homeHomes in Hampshire 01962 826050

£495,000The incredible location, with its stunning valley views, was too much to resist – they knew this was the perfect place to build their stunning, contemporary homeHomes in Monmouthshire 029 2022 6129

SMUGGLERS TROVE HEIGHT OF SOPHISTICATION

FOREVER FIELDS VISION OF GREATNESS

AN INTERESTING CHARACTER


AN IDEAL

THATCHTHE SPINNEy IS A BEAUTIFUL THATCHED HOME IN DORSET – BUT WITH ADDITIONAL

SELF CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION AND FIVE ACRES OF LAND, THERE’S MUCH MORE

TO THE OFFERING THAN FIRST MEETS THE EyE

“With lots of lawn space, a pretty terrace area, a tennis court and secluded sections, such as the arboretum with its carved wooden animals, there’s plenty of scope for entertaining.”


W hen candlelight dining in the conservatory at night, The Spinney’s owners can

look up to the stars while being kept cosy by the room’s wood burner.

They have lived there for 26 years and it has taken time to get the fabulous

cottage to the standard it is today, now boasting impressive trimmings that include its own

lake, four additional cottages, a separate games room, an arboretum, a tennis court and a

workshop. “My husband’s a builder and saw its potential straight away. It started life 300 years

ago as a one-up one-down and now it’s an enormous five-bedroom home, but all in keeping

with the original style,” she said. The couple were keen to keep the cottage style with

lots of inglenook fireplaces with wood burners, oak panelling and exposed beams. And in

undertaking all the work, which involved demolishing outbuildings, there was a strong focus

on recycling old materials.

SUMMER AND WINTER

On entering the property the winter drawing room greets visitors, with the first of

the many pretty fireplaces. “It’s a great room for a winter’s night and looks fabulous at

Christmas,” she said.

“The beauty of this cottage is that there are rooms for all seasons.The summer drawing

room at the back of the house is used as a study. It’s the same size as the front room but

it has lovely views out over the garden, the fountain and the lake with French windows out

onto the terrace. It’s a great place to work and it’s absolutely gorgeous,” she added. Her

husband also has a dedicated room in which to work, as there’s another study complete

with oak panelling and nice views all round.



PROPeRTy deTAIlSDating back to the 18th Century, this wonderful cottage

has been lovingly extended by the current owners and

now offers five bedrooms, three reception rooms and

an excellent games room. Amid the five acres (STMS) of

grounds there are a range of outbuildings, a double garage

and a timber framed triple car port.

Location

Wimborne

Price

£2,950,000

Property type

Wonderful 18th Century Cottage

Contact

Homes in Dorset 01962 826050

APPEALING ROOMS

Also downstairs is a good-sized dining room with room for

the whole family at Christmas and during other celebrations.

“It’s good for entertaining as there’s an open fire in

there and exposed beams so it has a very welcoming

atmosphere,” she said.

There’s additional seating room for less formal occasions in

the black, grey and white L-shaped kitchen. This room has

also been kept in the traditional style with a flagstone floor,

leaded windows, an old style oak plate rack and a wood-

burning stove within an arched recess.

French windows from the kitchen lead out to the

conservatory. In terms of décor, the walls have been kept

white in order to highlight the features and maintain an air

of light and spaciousness.

BEAUTIFUL BEDROOMS

Stairs from the front drawing room lead to the upstairs

accommodation. The beamed master bedroom has great

views out over the extensive garden and benefits from an

en-suite bathroom with shower.

“It’s a spacious room with lots of light and in the morning

when you wake up you can see out over the garden. It’s

fabulous,” she said. Close to that is a single room that the

couple used as a nursery when their children were young.

Now, their girls have a double room each, both with

wooden elm floors and lots of light. Then at the far end of

the landing is a guest bedroom, with an en-suite bathroom.

“Each of the bedrooms are lovely and even the family

bathroom has its own features as you can see the brickwork

of the chimney breast that comes up from downstairs.”

PICTURESQUE AND PERFECT

If more space for guests or additional family members is

required, there are several options. With additional self

contained accommodation, there’s plenty of space when

having large parties or even for live in staff such as a nanny,

housekeeper or gardener. And with outbuildings such as

a workshop and a games room, there is lots of room for

children to play and adults to work.

“This cottage is not only picturesque but it provides an

opportunity to live your life however you want. The land and

the additional cottages make it extremely flexible. We’ve

certainly lived the good life here.”

“At The Spinney, there are three terraced one- bedroom cottages as well as a detached two-bedroom cottage, which are ideal as guest accommodation.”


RIPE FOR PICKINGWITH SPECTACULAR GARDENS AND ITS OWN “LONG ROOM” FOR

ENTERTAINING, MAGNIFICENT BERRI COURT IS SIMPLy OVERFLOWING WITH WONDERFUL FEATURES AND SUPERB SPACES

“It is great for entertaining and has a wonderful view into the walled garden. Outside the windows there are flower beds packed with spring bulbs.”


S itting on the terrace, watching the sun set, John turner can

still feel its warmth, even as the day draws to a close. “this

is our favourite place, we could live out here. we eat lunch

and dinner out here most days,” he said.

even just glancing around the stunning gardens, which it overlooks,

it is not hard to see why berri court is a magical place inside and

out. the georgian home and its setting - where John and his wife

Janice have lived for 45 years - is simply wonderful.

“my wife found the house through a friend and we spent two

years getting it how we liked it before we moved in,” he said. “we

wanted to bring it back to its original state. It is grade II listed,

from the 1700s and in some parts it is older.”

“We wanted to bring the house back to its original state. It is Grade II Listed, from the 1700s and in some parts it is older.”

berri court is a stunning grade II listed georgian home

with five main bedrooms, three further former servant’s

rooms on the second floor, three reception rooms and a

large games room adjacent to the house. the grounds are

approaching two acres (stms) and are well stocked and

secluded, including lawns, an ornamental lily pond and banks

of colourful rhododendron.

locationyaptontype of housegeorgian home

price£1,200,000contacthomes in west sussex 01892 458931

PROPeRTy deTAIlS

home of hIstory

historic records show there has been a manor house here since

1460 and some of the original house still remains.

“near the back door there is some very old woodwork, which

looks as though it could be elizabethan and there is also some very

interesting old stonework inside.”

for more than 25 years, the couple opened up their home as

part of the national gardens scheme, and, during their time here,

the property, which includes a historic walled garden, has hosted

countless social occasions and events. “we had our son’s and

daughter’s weddings here and we have held some great social

events. It is a wonderful place for entertaining,” he added.


HACKETT.C

OM

ESSENTIALLY BRITISH

Fine_Layout 10 13/04/2012 10:33 Page 1

FINE

abbots grange, noctonthis home was built by the owners to combine many highly desirable features ideal for modern family living. built in stone with a slate roof, the house oozes charm and character whilst resting at ease amid the older lincolnshire properties that surround it. located off the village green the house is set in its own grounds of approximately three acres (stms) which are divided into a lovely well stocked garden with mature trees and flowering shrubs, a large lawn, ideal for the children to play on and a paddock which is planted with fruit trees. stables and a large barn offer potential for those wishing to have a smallholding or equestrian pursuits.

Favourites

£750,000

Homes in Nottinghamshire 0115 9814509

On the edge of the pretty village green, with views of the orchard and paddock, Abbotts Grange is a beautiful rural home

GREEN LIVING

Nicola BowlerBranch Manager

“Abbotts Grange has all the space a family could want, with three reception rooms and a lovely breakfast kitchen.”


A CONTEMPORARyPERSPECTIVEFROM AWARD-WINNING, ARCHITECT-DESIGNED NEW HOUSES TO STUNNING, MODERN APARTMENTS,

CONTEMPORARy HOMES CAN OFFER A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. CLEVERLy COMBINING SPACE AND

STyLE – AND OFTEN ENCOMPASSING A CREATIVE USE OF GLASS, METAL, STONE AND TIMBER – MORE

OFTEN THAN NOT, THESE PROPERTIES ARE HIGHLy INDIVIDUAL. WHETHER THEy ARE LUXURIOUS

COUNTRy HOUSES, COMPLETE WITH SWIMMING POOLS, GUEST ACCOMMODATION, RELAXATION

AREAS AND HI-TECH GADGETRy OR SMALLER yET EQUALLy ENTICING ECO PROPERTIES WITH GREEN

FEATURES AND CHIC INTERIOR FINISHES, THERE IS SOMETHING TREMENDOUSLy THRILLING ABOUT

LIVING IN A HOME THAT IS TRULy OF THE MOMENT.





Not only does it feature magnificent interior spaces, incorporating many wonderful eco features; it also has glorious views out across the fields

SIMPLy RED


Homes in Hampshire 01962 826050

Looking across the mature private garden in the quiet community of Avon Castle, the owner is excited about the amazing house

BUILDING THE DREAM

£1,500,000

Homes in Gwent 029 2022 6129

With stunning views through their great glass windows, the owners of striking new eco home Fairfield Manor enjoy the best of green living, both inside and out

MANOR FROMHEAVEN

£450,000

Homes in Mid Glamorgan 029 2022 6129

The owners of Lewis House have created a welcoming, high class home, in which they love to entertain family and friends in style

SPECTACULAROUTLOOK

£2,500,000


Sunshine floods into the magnificent home through the great expanses of glass, filling the spectacular rooms they have created with the most beautiful, bright light

TRUE LIGHT

£4,000,000

Homes in West Essex 020 85040977

Rizz and Sabiha fell in love with the mature English garden – and then built a stunning, minimalist home from Germany on the site

AT THECUTTINGEDGE

RAISING A GLASS they had long been captivated by the huf house, so when they realised they had the perfect place to build one, it was an opportunity they could not miss

Guide price £2,650,000Homes in Buckinghamshire 01753 886177


THE X FACTORBRAD KING WANTED TO CREATE A STUNNING HOME WITH

BREATHTAKING SPACES AND EVERy CONCEIVABLE COMFORT

– A UNIQUE HAVEN WITH MORE THAN A TOUCH OF “THE X FACTOR”

“I am a huge fan of an ultra contemporary, minimalist look yet at the same time I did want a home that was functional as well.”


His home has graced the front of a glossy magazine

and it has been the setting for parties visited by

top British celebrities. Brad King wanted his house

to be a truly special place to live – a home of high design

and top quality features that could be a sanctuary from the

busy world outside as well as a palace of entertainment.

“It has been fun living here,” he admitted. “I wanted a

home, where I could entertain and have lots of friends to

stay – and we have had some great social occasions here.

“Matt Cardle, who won the X Factor, is a friend of mine and

was here when the programme first went out, and Danny

Dyer has been round for dinner.” He added: “At the same

time, however, this is somewhere you can also feel very

comfortable and can just spend time relaxing.”

PERFECT FLOW

The property, which appeared in September’s issue of

Essential Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom magazine, was bought

by Brad back in December 2008. It took 18 months for it

to be developed enough to move into but it was worth the

wait, he said. “In terms of location, this place was absolutely

perfect. It also had the space to do everything I wanted to

do – from the gardens through to the pool, sauna and hot

tub. “It was an extensive project. The original house now

makes up less than a third of what is here now and it all

comes together so beautifully. It really does flow,” he said.

HIGH DESIGN

The idea, he continued, was to create an “ultra chic,

upmarket” home. This he has achieved with the help

of expert designers and top quality craftsmen. Interior

designer Jurga Austynaite, of Original Interiors, was initially

asked to prepare mood boards for two of the guest

rooms but Brad was so impressed with her work that he

persuaded her to take on the rest of the six-bedroom


“In terms of location, this place was absolutely perfect. It also had the space to do everything I wanted to do – from the gardens through to the pool, sauna and hot tub.”

property, as well as the annexe. Now her striking design choices and occasional

splashes of bold colour have brought Grange House to life.

PARTy PALACE

A bespoke R2 kitchen was designed by Robert Timmons, featuring semi matt

lacquered cabinetry with sections of contrasting fumed oak veneer. Work surfaces

in Zodiaq Barley were brought in, along with Gaggenau appliances. “I have

done everything to a high specification,” said Brad. “I am a huge fan of an ultra

contemporary, minimalist look yet at the same time I did want a home that was

functional as well.” After years of working hard to build up his business, he longed for

a home where he could welcome in small groups of friends or host large parties.

“I wanted the kitchen set up so I could cook and chat to friends,” he explained. “But

I also wanted a home I could come back to, open up the doors from the pool on to

the terrace and spend time outside with friends enjoying barbecues.”

He went on: “This home is ideal. I can either have a few couples over so we can all

spend time together or can have much larger parties. We had 28 people here one

Christmas – that was great fun.”

EASy LIVING

The room he calls “The Gallery” is where he enjoys relaxing quietly on his own.

Here, double height windows bring the light flooding in and in winter he adores

firing up the wood-burner. “I have big, comfortable sofas in there – and when it

is just me, I tend to live in there and in the kitchen.” He went on: “I have had a lot

of very happy times here. There have been the parties and big social meals that

I imagined when all the work was being carried out. But there have also been lots of more

relaxing times, when I have just been able to enjoy the sheer comfort of this house.”

LIFE OF LEISURE

Everything at Grange House has been designed for sheer pleasure. The impressive leisure

complex, which has an integrated sound system, features a state-of-the-art gym, as well as

the beautiful heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi. It has a bar or lounge area, sauna and

changing rooms.

Grange House also features a cinema room, where the latest movies can be enjoyed

in comfort.

HOME FROM HOME

The annexe at Grange House has been designed to have access to the leisure area to enable

guests to make the most of all the facilities. With two bedrooms, as well as a large drawing and

dining room, kitchen and bathroom, the area would also be ideal for a family member seeking

privacy. Its position adjoining the property could also make it perfect for a house keeper, au

pair or gardener.


Combining a relaxed style and luxurious finish, this exceptional contemporary

home is set within beautifully landscaped grounds of 3.3 acres (STMS).

The stylish interior includes six bedroom suites, a bespoke R2 kitchen, five

reception rooms including a cinema/games room, a leisure complex with

gym, 57ft heated swimming pool, bar/lounge area, Jacuzzi and a self-contained

two-bedroom annexe.

LocationGreat HorkesleyPriceGuide price £2,975,000

Property typeStunning Contemporary homeContactHomes in Essex 01206 564259

PROPeRTy deTAIlS


AS YOU LIKE ITthe stunnIng house, In a hIghly desIrable locatIon, Is now ready for

some fInal, Very IndIVIdual touches


Standing in the space that will one day be a grand

drawing room, the developer imagines the new owner

seated at a grand piano. Guests would mingle, chat

by the roaring fire in winter time, and wander over to enjoy

the beautiful views out over the sweeping lawns. “This room

was designed to have a Ralph Lauren look,” she explained. “It

was to be a formal space for entertaining, where the owners

could spend time with their guests.” The magnificent house,

with its Georgian-style frontage, has been designed to be

a simply glorious country home for its new owners. “It is a

project in progress,” said the other developer.

DREAM HOME

They chose Chalfont St Giles for its immense convenience

to London, as well as its charm and appeal. “It was voted

Most Desirable Village in the UK and is a very, very

attractive place. This plot is so private and with eight acres,

had so much space to offer.” Their vision was to build a

house with a classical exterior and a top specification, highly

contemporary interior. “For me, the kitchen was always

going to be special. This will be the hub of the household.

Our plan was to have the kitchen at one end and then a

fireplace in the centre,” she said.

“It is a project in progress. We are now looking for someone to come and complete it themselves or to

take it forward with us.”

this beautifully constructed home is waiting for you to

add your own choice of style and finish. Inside there

are six bedroom suites and four reception rooms, while

on the lower ground floor you will find provision for a

cinema, underground parking for 10 cars and a luxurious

swimming pool and sauna.

Please note all images are computer generated.

PROPERTY DETAILS

locationchalfont st giles

Price£6,000,000

Property typeunfinished contemporary style home

Contacthomes in buckinghamshire 01753 886177

IN THE mEdiaA SnAPSHOT Of ReCenT feATUReS In THe medIA WHICH HAve InClUded fIne PROPeRTIeS

thE timES showcased the Grade II* listed london House, Coggeshall, essex in february (10/02/12) in an article about families moving out of london and featured the owners on the front page of its ‘Bricks and mortar’ section.

thE SuNday tElEgraPh highlighted two properties in a story about unusual features installed by owners (11/03/12). These were Trinco House, Penhow, South Wales with its rifle range and Hall Stables, mickleham, Surrey with an indoor koi carp pond.

thE mail oN SuNday ran a full page article in february (19/02/12) about a 16th Century former hunting lodge little Belhus, South Ockendon, essex surrounded by a large local authority estate. Two weeks later at the beginning of march (04/03/11) another property High Timbers, Shepperton, Surrey featured in a full page story about an outstanding mediterranean garden.

thE SuNday timES selected two properties as best in class for its ‘House of The Week’ feature. In february Catsfield Place, Catsfield, east Sussex (12/02/12) and Harborough Cottage, Whissendine, Rutland appeared (26/02/12).

thE tElEgraPh regularly includes properties being sold by fine in its features most recently Shakespeare House, Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire (17/03/12) as well as The Caimans, mapperley Park, nottinghamshire (10/03/12) the week previously. At the start of march, fine was the agent of choice being quoted a number of times in a piece about Spring Sales.

thE SuNday ExPrESS in January (01/01/12) ran an article over one and a half pages about the properties lived in by celebrities. The feature included details on Ruxley Tower, esher, Surrey and 8-10 Bell Street, feltwell, norfolk.

thE ExPrESS featured half a page in march (03/03/12) on Plas newydd Cottage, Usk, monmouthshire in a piece about the best converted coach houses.

thE iNdEPENdENt has recently included The loggia, 11 nashdom Abbey, Buckinghamshire (17/02/12) and Balsorano, Bexhill on Sea, east Sussex (24/02/12) in a column which highlighted some of the most interesting homes on the market.

THeSe ARe JUST SOme Of THe fIne PROPeRTIeS WHICH HAve Been feATURed In nATIOnAl neWSPAPeRS ReCenTly And THeRe HAve Been APPeARAnCeS In OTHeR PUBlICATIOnS InClUdInG The Week, Period homes & inTeriors, house BeauTiful, The field, CounTry living, CoasT magazine And The evening sTandard.

ruxlEy toWEr, SurrEy iS NoW

FEaturEd oN thE cNBc WEBSitE

WWW.cNBc.com

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Fine Magazine Spring 2012