Buckinghamshire regularly tops surveys of the most desirable places to live in Britain and it’s easy to see why. Johnny Turner looks at currently available homes in this classy locale.
Buckinghamshire offers a mix of large county towns, new towns and established villages, which means it appeals to a broad range of buyers. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizer, expanding family or investment buyer, the impressive array of new homes in Bucks will have something for you.
In Beaconsfield, an extremely sought-after market town, Banner Homes is selling Burlington Place, a family-friendly development of six substantial five-bedroom detached homes. And as similar homes in the area would be expected to go for well over £1 million, the selling prices in this scheme of between £765,000 and £965,000 are very unusual in this particularly affluent area.
The area is immensely popular due to a number of factors: excellent communication links, close proximity to London, a good stock of well-proportioned houses and excellent schools, both private and state.
Selling agent Jerry Ashington of Ashington Page says, ‘The majority of new homes developments in Beaconsfield over the last few years have been priced at well over £1 million. Banner Homes has taken the opportunity to build exclusive homes in an established location only a quarter of a mile from the station, which are all priced comfortably under this amount.’ This has resulted in a lot of interest, he says. ‘We have had numerous enquiries.’
The newly opened three-storey, six-bedroom Devonshire show home is drawing a range of interested house hunters. All of the homes are reached via a private driveway off Caledon Road, and each of the three designs offers generous, flexible family living space. All also have double garages and feature interesting design details such as Doric columns, stone cills, plinths and detailing. The designer kitchens feature the latest integrated appliances and there is CAT5 cabling and a telephone point in each of the rooms.
Burlington Place is perfectly placed for access to the excellent local schools and the centre of Beaconsfield is within walking distance. In the centre of town there are many specialist retailers, supermarkets and high street shops. Meanwhile, the Old Town, which is slightly further afield, grew in the 18th century and contains antique shops, boutiques, country pubs and plenty of good-quality restaurants.
Another huge draw to the area is the breathtaking countryside. Beaconsfield is an ideal destination for those who want the beauty of the country without leaving behind the convenience of a town location.
Get further details about Burlington Place by calling the sales office on 01494 730848. Visit bannerhomes.co.uk.
Also from Banner comes Clarence Court, an age-exclusive development of ten one- and two-bedroom apartments, five two- and three-bedroom cottages and an unusual two-bedroom bungalow. The location is a prime residential spot in the heart of the market town of Wendover.
Nestling among the Chiltern Hills in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Wendover is full of rustic charm and offers plenty to do. The area is very popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Clarence Court offers plenty of activities, ranging from the popular weekly market to tennis, cricket and bowls. Transport from the development is also convenient, with the train station only 200 yards away.
Piers Banfield, group sales and marketing director of Banner Homes, points out the appeal of Clarence Court: ‘The great thing about it is that home owners don’t have to compromise on space or comfort, yet they have the freedom to enjoy all the benefits that Wendover has to offer.’
Seven properties now remain at the development – three apartments and four cottages at prices ranging from £315,000 to £350,000. For further information contact the sales advisor at Brown & Merry on 01296 624444 or visit the Banner Homes website at bannerhomes.co.uk.
Hampden Grove, Banner’s development in Gerrards Cross, is perfect for those who want to live outside the capital without compromising on style, finish and convenience. The development offers the latest in high-specification contemporary apartment living, with professionally designed kitchens that have built-in appliances and under-unit lighting. Bathrooms feature stylish white sanitary ware, recessed downlighters and heated towel rails, as well as ceramic floor tiling. In some properties wiring for multi-room hi-fi systems and CAT5e cabling is available.
The four 700 sq ft two-bedroom apartments in the scheme are perfect for commuters to the capital, as the development is close to a mainline station which offers regular services into London Marylebone with a journey time of approximately half an hour. There are also two supermarkets plus boutiques and high street banks and stores. And the M40 is easily accessible for routes to the M25 and further afield.
Two properties remain at Hampden Grove: the final apartment is priced at £329,950, and the detached house is on the market at £835,000. For more information contact selling agent Frost Partnership on 01753 890909.
Redrow Homes has secured planning permission to transform the site of The Cedars public house in Hazelmere, High Wycombe into a development of 20 two-bedroom and three one-bedroom apartments. Boasting a secure gated entrance, each apartment benefits from a parking space and either a balcony or terrace. The new development will also see an extension to the adjacent doctors’ surgery.
Paul Moran, sales director of Redrow Homes (Southern), said, ‘The Cedars is likely to prove particularly popular among purchasers who are seeking an easy-to-maintain home in a secure environment, within walking distance of a range of shops, including a supermarket.
‘It is also well suited to commuters, thanks to its excellent road and rail links. There is a bus stop over the road from the development and High Wycombe train station, approximately four miles away, offers a regular service to London Marylebone in around 45 minutes. Also, the M40, M4 and M25 are nearby.’
The homes are expected to be released for sale any day now. To register your interest contact 01256 366450.
Charles Church is selling a number of high-quality developments in Buckinghamshire, including Beechwood Gardens in the Deanshanger section of Milton Keynes. This attractive collection of 20 detached four- and five-bedroom executive homes, some of which are constructed in traditional stone, is expected to sell quickly.
For more information on Beechwood Gardens contact 01908 263104.
Only one home remains in the Hazeley Fields development. The five-bedroom family home is typical of the high-quality design that has made this development such a success. The final home is priced at £384,995. Interested parties should waste no time in phoning the development’s sales centre on 01908 867820 or selling agent Thomas & Co on 01908 231551.
Westcroft Park is a further Charles Church development currently available for sale. Located in Tattenhoe, Milton Keynes, Westcroft Park consists of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes in a range of elevational designs and treatments, all with excellent specification.
The location is ideal; approximately three miles from the centre of Milton Keynes, both peace and convenience are on offer to residents. Milton Keynes itself is extremely well connected to neighbouring towns as well as London, both by road and rail.
Prices for these family homes start at £189,995 for three bedrooms, £262,995 for four bedrooms and £389,995 for five bedrooms. The sales office is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. Call 01908 867820 for further information.
Meanwhile, over in Iver, the newly launched Woodland Grange offers a wonderful woodland location adjacent to Richings Park Golf Club. This exclusive development of just six bespoke five-bedroom detached properties is in a class of its own. The large homes all offer sizeable gardens.
Find out more about these exquisite properties by calling Sequence on 020 8742 1444.
Looking into the near future, Charles Church is soon to launch an exclusive development of just five luxury homes designed in the Arts and Crafts style. The development, called Amberleigh Gardens, is located in a sought-after position in the village of Sarratt; each home has large gardens with excellent views of the green belt.
Amberleigh Gardens will be on sale from February; prices are expected to start at £999,995 for four-bedroom homes and £1.2 million for five-bedroom homes. Register your interest by calling 01442 875509.
George Wimpey also has superb new homes up for grabs in Bucks. Disraeli Court is a collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments in a split-level two-, three- and four-storey apartment complex on the corner of Hamilton Road and Coningsby Road, High Wycombe, approximately a mile from the town centre.
The thriving market town of High Wycombe dates back to the 11th century, and in more modern times Benjamin Disraeli – after whom the development is named – made his home at nearby Hughenden Manor for over 30 years.
Prices start from £174,995. Call 01494 538788 for details.
Octavian Place is a harmonious development in Aylesbury, complemented by the new Fairford Leys Landmark Village development. A wide range of quality homes combines the best of modern facilities within a traditional design in a unique setting, making this collection of one-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom homes an ideal place to buy.
Prices start from £169,995 for a two-bedroom terraced house. Call 01296 399737 to find out more.
Further George Wimpey developments in the region can be found in the neighbouring county of Hertfordshire: Phoenix at Borehamwood and Barrington Way in Salisbury Village, Hatfield, both feature fine selections of new homes. For details call the brochure line on 01908 544866 or visit the website georgewimpey.co.uk.