Today’s fast-paced life demands a quiet place to unwind – and a home in the countryside is the perfect antidote to the daily urban grind. Anna Bowden investigates.
As life gets busier and more hectic by the minute it is often hard to see past the grind of our working lives. Few of us are lucky enough to work rurally; most have to make that daily trek across town, whether by public transport or car, getting stuck in traffic and dealing with the hordes of others around us. What we need to remember, however, is that although our working lives are stressful our home lives don’t have to be as well. How much better would you feel if, once you left the office, you could head out of town into the country? To a peaceful, green environment?
Fortunately this dream is now possible. Loads of new homes developers are building high-quality developments in rural environments but with excellent transport links, where residents can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Westbury Homes has just opened a sales office at Greenfields, its delightful new collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses in Burghfield Common, Berkshire, just seven miles away from Reading.
Christine Keith, Westbury’s sales manager for Greenfields, says, ‘More and more people are looking to live in a rural setting but don’t want to be too far away from all the fun and excitement of a town. This is why Greenfields has everything going for it. As well as the excellent variety of house styles and sizes, the local shops serving everyday needs are just a short walk away; and if a big shopping trip or night on the town is on the cards, Reading is also only a quick journey away.’
One of the first show homes on the development, the Leicester house type, is a major reason for families to consider the development as the trend for increasing living space from two storeys to three storeys continues. The three-storey Leicester town house boasts flexible and versatile living accommodation including three- or four-bedrooms depending on your lifestyle.
Greenfields is conveniently located close to good local schools and public transport facilities. The development is just five miles from junction 11 of the M4 – for quick and easy access to London, Bristol or beyond; and Heathrow Airport is approximately a 40-minute drive away. The nearest mainline station is Theale, five miles down the road, from where residents can travel to London Paddington, the West, the Midlands and the North and South coasts.
For prices at Greenfields call 0118 958 9060.
Haddington Manor is KingsOak’s exceptional new scheme of 40 homes in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. In final remaining phase the developer is offering a superb selection of town houses that allow buyers to live their busy lives in spacious, flexible and adaptable town house layouts with all the benefits of country life on their doorstep.
‘Town houses offer so much in terms of space utilisation, and they also allow you to adapt their layouts to suit your family’s needs,’ confirmed sales manager for KingsOak North London Nina Fitzgerald.
Haddington Manor is the skilful redevelopment of a former MOD homes site and now features a selection of two-bedroom apartments and two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes located in an attractive Chilterns setting close to the major towns of Aylesbury, Amesham, Chesham and, on the borders with Hertfordshire, Hemel Hempstead.
With plenty of shopping facilities, sporting options and leisure prospects nearby, Haddington Manor is perfectly located for active families who want to enjoy their free time as well as good commuter links, thanks to rail services into London Marylebone station. The development is also within easy reach of the A41, the B4009 and junction 18 of the M25. Luton and Heathrow Airports are virtually equidistant, opening up further travelling possibilities.
Prices at Haddingtom Manor start from £341,995 for a three-bedroom town house and from £254,995 for a two-bedroom home. Call the sales office, open daily from 11am to 6pm, on 01296 625736.
City & Country Group is currently restoring an historic former mill in Standon, Hertfordshire, into Standon Mill, a scheme of apartments ranging in size from 571 to 1,534 sq ft housed within a five-storey brick building. Boasting period details including elegant arched windows, exposed brick walls and cast-iron radiators and columns, these contemporary homes have been designed to offer open-plan living in the style of London loft accommodation. Several of the apartments feature foldaway walls between the main living and entertaining area and the second and third bedroom, offering purchasers flexibility as to how they use the space. Some homes also offer additional storage space located behind concealed panels.
Standon Mill will particularly appeal to purchasers interested in golf, as there are seven 18-hole golf courses within a ten-mile radius. Tim Sargeant, chief executive of City & Country Group, comments, ‘We have recently noticed a rise in the number of purchasers who specifically choose a new home because of its proximity to a well-respected golf course. However, the appeal not only comes from avid golfers but also from purchasers who are attracted to the tranquil rural areas where golf courses are usually located.’
Surrounded by rolling countryside, Standon Mill is located in a conservation area beside the River Rib. Standon provides a pub and a village shop and is less than 30 miles from London, making commuting to the capital easy. It also offers easy access to the M25 via the M11 or A10 and direct train services from Bishops Stortford or Ware to London Liverpool Street.
Prices at Standon Mill start from £179,000 for one-bedroom apartments. Call 01279 817882 for details.
Antler Homes is now developing Eastwood View, nine traditionally designed four-bedroom houses in the picturesque village of Cuxton, near Rochester, Kent. Griff Marshalsay, managing director for Antler Homes South East, comments, ‘Improvements on some of Britain’s major motorways and the increase in the number of people working from home are just some of the factors which have led to a rising rural population. Home buyers are attracted to the countryside by a abundance of green open spaces, a more relaxed lifestyle and the prospect of an improved quality of life. A further attraction, also stated in the Countryside Agency’s report, is that people living in rural England are reported to have better health and longer life expectancies than those living in urban areas.
‘Cuxton is surrounded by scenic countryside and benefits from proximity to the Medway estate and, further inland, to the North Downs. In addition, this delightful village also offers convenient access to some of Kent’s major towns and cities.’
Each of the smart new homes at Eastwood View features a canopied porch supported by elegant Georgian style columns. The spacious entrance hall leads into a custom-built open-plan kitchen/family room featuring stainless steel integrated appliances, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. The sitting room includes a modern ivory fire surround and French doors leading out onto a rear garden. The master bedroom boasts en suite facilities and each home has a single or double garage, while some homes also benefit from a balcony.
Prices start from £319,950. Call 01634 714243 for details.
Cutting-edge bespoke design, quality workmanship and stylish interiors are making a strong impression on visitors to Gladedale Homes’ St Mary’s Ridge, which features a collection of desirable properties, including two- and three-bedroom homes in highly-sought after St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex. The development highlights the company’s commitment to environment-friendly living by combining the use of existing natural features with the latest modern insulation and sustainable materials.
The location is proving extremely popular with home owners, with nearby Hastings fast becoming one of the country’s up-and-coming property hotspots. Maggie Brodie of Gladedale Homes said: ‘This is the perfect time to buy a home in Hastings; the demand for property in the area is continually growing as people realise how much the town has to offer.
‘Prices are currently lower than other coastal locations, including Brighton and Eastbourne, and property in Hastings is an excellent investment.
‘St Mary’s Ridge is set in a stunning secluded location surrounded by both beautiful countryside and coastal scenery, but is still within commuting distance of London with direct rail services to London Cannon Street, Victoria and Charing Cross.’
Prices at St Mary’s Ridge start from £160,000. For further information call the sales team on 01424 756868.
Two of Redrow’s developments – Britannia Quay in Chatham and Sonora Fields in Sittingbourne – have won Greenleaf housing awards, which recognise the importance house builders place on the creation of a whole living environment. The judges consider aspects including the use of green space; retention of natural features including trees, hedges, ponds and streams; and efforts to create a new landscape. Schemes do not become eligible for an award until three years after they have been sold, to ensure that the developers’ initial efforts are not simply cosmetic.
Chris Roads, sales director of Redrow Homes (Eastern), says, ‘Redrow has an excellent track record in the Greenleaf initiative and this year’s awards bring our nationwide total to over 50 in five years. We are delighted that our commitment to providing quality environments in which people want to live has once again been recognised.’
Redrow Homes is currently working on a number of ventures including phase three of Britannia Quay, comprising 84 apartments. In Chatham it is also offering The Eye, a development of 68 one- and two-bedroom apartments. For prices and information about any of Redrow’s developments call 01268 886400.