The heat is on in Edinburgh as buyers and investors rush to complete on properties before the new sales tax rates come in on April 1.
This 8,881sq ft town house in Abercromby Place, Edinburgh, is laid out over six floors and has a private garden. £1.9 million through Knight Frank (0131–222 9600). SDLT to pay now £141,750 LBTT post-April £186,350.
The Scottish Finance Minister’s pledge to review the rates for Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) last week rather took the wind out of the sails of many Edinburgh-based estate agents. After undergoing, in the words of Blair Stewart of Strutt & Parker, ‘a traumatic year with the market grinding to a halt in the run up to the Referendum in September and missing out the prime selling season in Scotland’, things then went into overdrive after the new LBTT was initially announced on October 9 as people grasped the opportunity to buy a property before the new rates came into force on April 1.
‘We saw a landslide of flats and houses in excess of £250,000 come to the market in the run up to Christmas—December was busier than I ever remember,’ comments Mr Stewart.
After considerable lobbying by the Scottish Conservatives to the Scottish Government, it was announced that the rates, which were thought to be punitive for anyone buying at the top end of the market were being reviewed. ‘When George Osborne introduced the new Stamp Duty rates (SDLT) (on December 3), we looked so out of kilter: it made Scotland look shut for business for investors and aspirational families,’ Mr Stewart adds.
Briglands at Rumbling Bridge in Kinross has eight bedrooms, a range of outbuildings and is set in 8.64 acres, including a walled garden, and is on the market with Savills for £1.25 million (0131–247 3700). SDLT to pay now £68,750 LBTT to pay £108,350
However, the much-anticipated introduction of a mid-market rate for properties priced between £250,000 and £500,000 didn’t materialise last week; instead, the new band of 5% is to be applied to properties worth between £250,001 and £325,000. Those priced between £325,001 and £750,000 will pay 10% from April 1 and anything sold over that threshold will be taxed at 12%.
The news isn’t all bad, however. According to Edward Douglas-Home of Knight Frank in Edinburgh, the beneficiaries of this rate review will be middle-income families looking to move up the housing ladder. ‘The average detached family home in Edinburgh is about £390,000, rising to a lot more in parts of the city, including Morningside and the New Town. Under the original rates, the tax bill would have been £16,300; the revised rates mean the LBTT charge for the same property will be £12,350.’
The pivotal point at which the revised rates become more painful than the original LBTT levy is with houses valued over £947,500. ‘Buyers at this level and above will be facing a significantly higher bill when compared to the current UK Stamp Duty levels,’ adds Mr Douglas-Home.
Greystones in Peebles in the Scottish Borders is well placed for anyone needing to commute to Edinburgh. It has six bedrooms, a coach house and equestrian facilities. £850,000 through CKD Galbraith (0131–240 6960). SDLT to pay now £32,500 LBTT to pay £60,350
It’s not surprising, therefore, that agents are expecting a flurry of activity between now and April 1. According to figures from CKD Galbraith, the Edinburgh city market already saw a bounce in November with new interest from English and international buyers. Jennifer Campbell says she’s seen ‘high sale numbers and a desire to get transactions finalised before April 1’ as well as ‘a return of buyers from the South and abroad’.
Mr Stewart is more vocal. ‘Although the review helps the lower end of the market, it’s a blow to everyone else. If families can’t upsize because of the increase in tax, it will lead to a stand- still in the middle of the market, which is really the engine room of a thriving housing sector. Once LBTT comes into effect, we anticipate buyers will be more cautious in their offers to take account of the heavier tax burden.’
Yeomanrigg near Lockerbie in Dumfriesshire was launched on the market in December with Strutt & Parker (0131–226 2500) for offers over £720,000. It has five bedrooms, a cottage, a tennis court and 30.6 acres. SDLT to pay now £26,000 LBTT to pay £45,350
The January property market for country houses begins positively with renewed vigour in the surrounding counties of London.
Like most seasoned estate agents, James Mackenzie, head of Strutt & Parker’s country house department, is an optimist by nature. Having absorbed the impact of the Chancellor’s pre-Christmas bombshell, he maintains that, despite the fact that few country houses are being launched on the market at the moment, the year has started well. ‘So far’, he says, ‘we’ve had bids and are negotiating on three £3m houses in Hampshire, four houses in Hertfordshire at more than £2m and another two in the £4m price bracket in the Sevenoaks area. We’re also seeing renewed interest in Gloucestershire. Thirty per cent of purchasers registering to buy in the country for more than £2m this year are London-based and all looking at the traditional hotspots of Hampshire and Gloucestershire, as well as the commutable areas of Hertfordshire and Kent.’
With most of the deals done in the country currently hovering between £1m and £2m, Charlie evans of Strutt & Parker’s Salisbury office (01722 344010) reckons that his latest market offering, the idyllic Teasel, on the banks of the Avon at Wilsford cum Lake, near Amesbury, in the picturesque Woodford Valley north of Salisbury, represents the best value for money in his area at the moment. A fisherman’s paradise and a wildlife haven, Teasel is for sale jointly with Savills (01722 344010) at a guide price of £1.395m for the charming, five-bedroom, thatched main house, built pre-1850 with later additions, and set in 61⁄2 acres of terraced gardens and lawns leading down to the river—or £1.8 million with a cottage and a further five acres of land.
Bletchingdon park, an impressive Grade II listed, Georgian country home is rooted in an idyllic parkland setting in one of Britain's most sought after counties.
Built in 1782, Bletchingdon park has a history which spans beyond the Domesday survey of 1086, at which time it belonged to a Robert D’Oilly—a Norman nobleman who was appointed High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. The manor house’s ancient predecessor, which stood on the same site as the current building, enjoyed a significant role in the English Civil War. Fortified by King Charles I and later attacked by Oliver Cromwell’s forces in an attempt to further drive back the Royalists after their defeat at Islip Bridge, the estate was deemed one of the more important, outlying defences of Oxford.
The magnificent Grade II Listed Palladian villa that today overlooks the estate was designed by the highly-regarded architect James Lewis for Lord Valentia whose family owned the estate for many years. The property and lands then passed into the hands of Lord Astor and then Lord Rotherwick. Other notable families to own the estate include the Damory, the Poure and the Coghill families.
The imposing house is built with limestone ashlar and sits below a welsh slate mansard roof with moulded stone chimney stacks that rise into the clouds. The house has been beautifully restored and renovated in the last ten years in an attempt to maintain the grandeur of the mid Georgian style and ornate detailing of the house. The entrance is reached by a semi-circular flight of steps and is sheltered by a striking pedimented portico with grand Corinthian columns and wrought iron railings. The muted sandy colour of the facade embeds this property into its natural landscape and accentuates the beauty of the Oxfordshire countryside.
The well-laid out accommodation features high ceilings and decorative dentilled cornicing and architraves throughout, as well as boasting stone flagged and oak boarded floors. The rooms seem to flow harmoniously and naturally one into another and are of classical grand proportions. Most of the rooms include intricately ornate fireplaces with the one in the hall boasting an impressive Olympian plasterwork scene above it. The rooms at the rear of the house offer incredible views over the gardens and grounds which can be accessed by three sets of doors in the saloon and overlooked by three large sash windows with balconies in the palatial dining room.
The hallway benefits from a dramatic cantilevered staircase with 20th century scroll wrought iron balustrade and is illuminated by a dome above. The kitchen is fully equipped for modern family living with all the modern conveniences expected whilst the stately master bedroom boasts a huge dressing room and en suite bathroom. The property also has eight further bedrooms, the majority of which are en suite and two self contained flats, billiard room, pool, gym, sauna, considerable wine cellar, library, offices and plant rooms.
The great accomplishment of Bletchingdon park however, is the majestic gardens and beautiful countryside in which the property is set. Few houses enjoy such a spectacular setting. The panoramic vista which the house affords offers extensive views as far afield as the Chilterns beyond the mature trees that grace the parkland of the estate. The park also benefits from old woodland and a lake with a string of large pools perfect for taking country walks. On the edge of the woodland, there is a stone built circular pump house with traditional thatched roof, an Ice house, walled garden and tennis court. The estate also has equestrian facilities with stabling and a paddock.
Bletchingdon park sits beside the popular and quaint village of Bletchingdon which benefits from a primary school, 13th century church and a beloved public house. The area is celebrated for its illustrious schooling with many top private and boarding schools nearby. Travel to London Marylebone takes around an hour from nearby Bicester (7 miles).
The guide price is £15,000,000. For further information please contact Knight Frank on +44 20 7861 1065.
Flowton priory, a beautiful Grade II listed country home sits on the edge of the quaint village of Harpenden in the heart of beautiful Hertfordshire.
Originally built in 1525, Flowton priory was one of the most revered buildings to stand in the village of Flowton in Suffolk. In 1928 the entire house was transported exactly as it had been built in the 16th Century to its current location in the picturesque and peaceful village setting on the edge of the desirable small town of Harpendon. The serenity of country life is epitomised on the quiet street of West Common where the impressive Flowton priory has majestically laid its roots.
Set in stunning grounds behind its own private woodland, the commanding, Tudor style property boasts exquisite towering chimney stacks and ornate heraldic stained glass—including the coats of arms of Cardinal Wolsey and various other interesting pieces from York Minster and Wells Cathedral—set in original leadlight windows. The property features beautiful, exposed beams throughout and oak wood panelling in many of the rooms that further enhances the timelessness and sense of the enduring history of the house. All of which perfectly disguises the contemporary luxuries of the 21st century that allow for modern family life.
As we enter the property through the impressive oak door at the end of the herringbone porch, one can’t help but notice the plethora of 16th century features that abound throughout the property. The welcoming entrance hall boasts a grand and original staircase and leads us into a magnificent drawing room which is centred around a spectacular carved stone fireplace, one of the many period fireplaces in the priory.
The essence of the property can be found in the wonderful Tudor style vaulted kitchen, adorned with bespoke oak cabinetry and furniture and a Lacanche Range oven, all set around the white marble central island. The breakfast table is positioned in one of the great bay windows and allows you to experience glorious views over the lush, landscaped gardens. For more formal feasting however, the sumptuously sophisticated dining room is just next door and is ideal for entertaining large groups of guests.
Rising up into the house we encounter the 5 large bedrooms that enjoy far-reaching views over the countryside and the impressive master bedroom with a beautiful French period style en suite bathroom. The property also features a beautiful study, which would make working from home a very enjoyable experience. Collectively, making this one of Hertfordshire’s most impressive properties that sits at the end of a private tree lined gravel driveway.
The magnificently designed ornamental gardens enjoy perfectly manicured lawns and beautiful topiary which frame the house as well as undulating lawns that extend outwardly from the property. Also on the three and a half acres of land is an elegant Yorkstone sun terrace, a parterre garden, Italian terrace garden with steps down to a spa bath featuring a concealed TV and a considerable Koi carp pond. The estate boasts a vast garage block large enough to house your four favourite cars with a currently unused space on the upper floor and an elegently designed glass summer house perfect for wiling way those lazy july afternoons.
Situated on the outskirts of Harpenden, an extremely popular and picturesque small town which benefits from all the amenities necessary for comfortable living. This truly is a beautiful part of the country with an impressive tree lined High Street featuring a comprehensive range of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Ideal for commuters, Flowton priory is only half an hour from central London and the area is renowned for its great choice of schools (both private and state).
The guide price is £6,750,000. For further information please contact Savills on +44 (0) 1582 465 002.
Act fast to take avantage of a loophole in the new stamp duty rates that could save you money.
Fig 1: Dreamy Mudford Manor, near Yeovil, Somer- set dates from 1630—an adja- cent property and eight acres are available by separate negotiation. £1.1m
One of the anomalies of the new Stamp Duty (SDLT) regime that generally favour buyers at the lower end of the market at the expense of those at the top is the so-called ‘sweet spot’ in the scale of charges whereby the SDLT payable on houses sold for between £1 million and £1.2 million is now less than before. Yet, somewhat illogically, buyers of houses purchased for between £937‘,500 and £1m will now pay more than previously.
For example, a house sold today for £975,000 carries an SDLT liability of £41,250, compared with the old rate of £39,000—an increase of £2,250. However, a house sold for £1.01m attracts £44,750 in SDLT now, compared with £50,500 under the old system—a saving of £5,750. Thereafter, the advantage is progressively eroded, with the SDLT on a house sold for £1.12m coming out at £55,750, compared with the old rate of £56,000 —a saving of only £250. And for transactions above that level, for buyers, it’s a ‘no-win’ situation all the way.
Given the speed at which the Scottish government has moved to eliminate perceived anomalies in its new Land and Buildings Transaction Tax system even before it comes into force, it’s probably naïve to imagine that the money men at HMRC won’t find a way of closing what appears to be a loophole in their smart new property-tax regime. Consequently, prospective purchasers of houses within the price bracket covered by the ‘sweet spot’ might be wise to act sooner rather than later to be sure of making the most of any available savings.
In what increasingly looks like a buyer’s market, country houses in areas beyond London’s commuter heartland appear to offer the best value for money, both in terms of space and lifestyle. One that catches the eye is spick-and-span Startley House (Fig 2) in the rural village of Startley, near Chippenham, north Wiltshire, for which Knight Frank (01285 659771) quote a guide price of £1.1m.
Fig 2: In the same family for 67 years, Startley House, at Startley, north Wiltshire, stands in 12 acres of gar- dens and paddocks. £1.1m
Built of Cotswold stone under a slate roof, the handsome, Grade II-listed farmhouse dates from 1847 and has been in the hands of the same family for 67 years. The house stands in some 12 acres of easily managed gardens and well-kept post-and-railed paddocks and comes with a range of neat traditional outbuildings and stables that blend seamlessly with the landscape of this famously sporting area on the edge of the Cotswolds.
In its present configuration, Startley House has 1,873sq ft of accommodation, including three reception rooms, a fitted kitchen, four double bedrooms and a family bathroom, which could conceivably be extended by incorporating some of the outbuildings, subject to the usual planning consents. For families relocating from London or overseas, there is also a splendid choice of schools, among them St Mary’s and St Margaret’s at Calne, Beaudesert Park prep school, Marlborough College, Westonbirt and Stonar.
Across the county border in Somerset, historic Mudford Manor (Fig 1) is a striking, Grade II listed Jacobean manor house set in more than five acres of gardens and grounds, 2.5 miles from Yeovil, with far-reaching views over the river Yeo towards the village of Trent in Dorset.
Launched on the market in December, also at a guide price of £1.1m through Knight Frank’s Sherborne office (01935 812236), its listing dates the house, built mainly of the local ham stone with stone-mullion windows, flagstone floors and impressive fireplaces, at ‘1630 with earlier and later parts’. It stands on the site of a cell used by the monks of Montacute and was developed into a house by John Harbin in 1630; at one time, the courthouse was housed in its grounds.
The manor has been the much loved family home of the vendor, who also owns the adjacent Mudford Manor Barn and a further eight acres of land, both of which could be purchased by separate negotiation. The main house has four reception rooms, a snug, a kitchen/dining room, six bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a massive roof-attic area that could easily be converted to extra living space, says selling agent Luke Pender-Cudlip.
Fig 3: Idyllic village life is possible at Woodland Manor, near Woolhope in Herefordshire. £1.15m
In the early Middle Ages, Herefordshire boasted more castles than any other county in england, most of them held by knights rather than monastic institutions. By the late Middle Ages, these knightly holdings had evolved into gentry estates of which the deer park was a defining element. By the 17th century, many of these evolved in turn into formal ornamental landscapes created around grand country houses such as the victorian Wessington Court, which was built on the site of a 17th-century house with earlier origins.
Knight Frank’s Hereford office (01432 273087) quotes a guide price of £1.15m for idyllic Woodland Manor (Fig 3) near Woolhope, one of Herefordshire’s loveliest villages at the heart of the scenic Woolhope Dome, a rim of limestone hills and folds, much sought-after for its glorious countryside and easy motorway access to Birmingham and Bristol.
Originally the gamekeeper’s cottage and shooting lodge to the neighbouring Wessington estate, the manor is originally victorian, extended some 30 years ago to create a charming family home.
It stands at the end of a cherry-lined drive, surrounded by 5.4 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, with a hard tennis court, a wildlife pond, a thatched summer house and a paddock—the latter currently used as extra gardening space by its enthusiastic owners. The house offers 2,680sq ft of elegant accommodation, including two reception rooms, a new kitchen, four bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms.
Beautiful manor house for sale in the picturesque village of Folkingham in Lincolnshire.
Leading the way in Lincolnshire, The beautiful manor house for sale in Folkingham, near Sleaford— a delightful stone village noted for its urbane 18th-century houses—is an impressive survivor from an earlier age. For sale through Strutt & Parker in Market Harborough (01858 433123) and Fine & Country in Grantham (01476 589155) at a guide price of £1.05m, the manor, listed Grade II*, was built in the early 1650s of the local, cream-coloured Ancaster stone, much of it sourced from the ruins of Sempringham Abbey, which was demolished following the dissolution of the Monasteries.
The Manor stands behind a distinctive front wall with pillared gates. It has been well maintained and the layout of the house is ideal for family occupation with four separate floors each making a distinctive contribution and providing ample space for relaxation, study, working from home or entertaining. Outside the generous private gardens and an all-weather tennis court combine to make The Manor very suitable for entertaining and the perfect place for either a party or relaxed country weekend.
Described in Pevsner’s ‘Buildings of england’ as an ‘uncommonly fine Manor House’, the house stands in an acre of private gardens and grounds set back from Folkingham’s historic marketplace. It has four reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, a conservatory, master and guest suites, seven bedrooms and a family bathroom and is ideally located close to leading public schools at Stamford, Oakham and Oundle or State grammars at Bourne, Grantham and Sleaford. High-speed commuting to London is available from Grantham or Peterborough.
Country Life rounds up our favourite French castles for sale. These ancient and magical buildings are steeped in history and truly are magnificent architectural feats.
The Rennaissance era delivered the previously unknown levels of architectural beauty to this region of France and this castle epitomises that beauty. Built in the 15th Century, extended in the 17th Century and completely restored so as to highlight the grandeur of the original design. This majestic building, set in 68 hectares of rolling landscape, benefits from a vast interior heated courtyard, impressive cloister, opulent dining room and library, large pool, tennis courts, charterhouse and equine facilities featuring two indoor competition arenas.
This exceptional example of a 19th century chateau is a jewel in the majestic Touques valley in the heart of the Pays d’Auge. It is beautifully restored to maintain its heritage and period features whilst simultaneously boasting luxurious modern conveniences. Enclosed by its own private, ancient woodland this extraordinary brick and flint property boasts 21 hectares of land, chapel, dovecote, stabling, pressoir, three lakes and a number of elegant barns.
Magnificent is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but this fortress dating from the year 978, truly epitomises the meaning of the word. Sitting atop a rocky knoll dominating the picturesque valley, this impenetrable fortress stood strong through many wars and defended a multitude of armies with varying allegiances until it was ruined by Richelieu in 1715. The building has everything you would expect from a fortress in the Middle Ages including working drawbridge, romanesque chapel and even its own award winning wine made from the grapes grown in the vineyards.
Enough bedrooms and bathrooms to house an army.
Patrice Besse (+33 (0)62 0693 846)
This gorgeous castle built in 1540 in Renaissance style has been magnificently restored to its former greatness and is for sale with two impressive projects in the pipeline. One is for an international 18 hole golf course on the grounds and the other is for the construction of luxury villas to surround the fairways. The property boast 30 hectares of vineyards and has a rich history passing between the hands of various lords and members of the French royal family.
10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, extensive further accommodation in outbuildings
Leggett (+33 (0)55 356 6254)
This magnificent castle dates back from 1179 and has a rich and intriguing history. It is reported that Richard the Lionheart actually died here and is buried somewhere on the grounds. The castle itself has been elegantly restored to a very high standard whilst cultivating its authentic history. The property features 165 acres of land, four lakes, a river, a great hall large enough for 200 people and a whole plethora of vast rooms to serve any requirement you could possible have.
This palatial Grade I listed late Georgian house has been described as "one of the finest houses in the South of England" and boasts majestic views over the Devon coastline.
The magnificent Mamhead house which dominates the East Devon coastline has a rich and interesting history. The impressive late Georgian country house that today stands overlooking the dramatic scenery of the coast was built in 1833, replacing a much older house. First mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086, the majestic estate has subsequently passed through the hands of many prominent families including the Balles and the Lisburnes. Even William of Orange allegedly accommodated his supporters on the estate.
The imposing home was designed by celebrated English architect Anthony Salvin. An architect who was renowned for his expertise on medieval buildings and restored many castles and churches. A pupil of Nash, Salvin constructed the property for local MP Robert Newman—who had made his fortune in the shipping industry—as a marriage home. Newman’s family motto ‘Ubi amor ibi fides’ (where there is love there is trust) is excuisitely carved above the grand front door. Salvin designed the incredible property in Tudor style integrating classic architectural features and influences from the Renaissance period, all of which is accomplished by an astonishing level of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The classically proportioned house has played host to a great many kings, queens and distinguished royals from around the world. Queen Adelaide even had her own private bedroom, now entitled the Queen’s Room. The beautiful building boasts a glorious facade constructed out of mellow Bath stone and is made up of ornate stone carvings and towering chimneys.
The romance of the place is unquestionable even from afar and only grows as we encounter the beautifully restored wood panelling, fine plaster work and beautiful stained glass—designed by Thomas Willement, heraldic artist to William IV— of the interiors. All whilst offering sensational coastal views and being securely nestled in its wooded surroundings.
The accommodation is extremely well laid out with the principal reception rooms running along the east side of the house. The property seems to have a natural flow as we are transported from beautiful room to beautiful room; some of the most impressive being the oak room, dining room, library and drawing rooms. The property also features a music room, summer dining room, sitting room, study, snooker room and snug and as always, the heart of the home is the arresting kitchen with a huge Aga and walnut work surfaces. The property also boasts two monumental statues, one of Cardinal Wolsey and the other of an unknown Catholic bishop who adorn the entrance hall at the bottom of the magnificent fan vaulted staircase. The vast property features 16 bedrooms and eight bathrooms as well as a gym and extensive cellars.
One of the most intriguing things about Mamhead though is the fact that it has its own Grade II listed castle on the grounds. Believed to be an architectural copy of Belsay Castle in Northumberland, the astonishing building is constructed of local red sandstone in the baronial Gothic style and was originally used as stabling and a brewery.
Set in magnificent, rolling landscape, the 164 acre grounds of Mamhead House are made up of lush landscaped gardens, extensive parklands and ancient woodland. It is rumoured that Capability Brown played an important part in the beautiful landscaping that remains today. The estate also benefits from a majestic sunken Italian Garden—with an original Bath stone and marble fountain, sundial and stone bench, all designed by Salvin and each Grade II listed—as well as a large and peaceful rectangular fish pond and an apple orchard.
Mamhead House sits in an exceptional position in an elevated, but sheltered position high in the Haldon Hills. It oozes a sense of peace and tranquility and resides in one of England’s most beautiful counties. The property benefits from being only 10 miles from the historic city of Exeter with trains to London from Exeter St David taking around 2h 20.
The guide price is £9,500,000. For further information please contact Strutt & Parker on +44 (0) 1392 215 631
As this weekend’s BAFTAs celebrate the best in cinema and TV, we recognise those agents who go above and beyond in the world of top property. Roderick Easdale opens the golden envelopes, Illustrations by Mark Draisey.
Best Special Visual Effects
Best Agent (Men) - William Morrison, Knight Frank
On the day of exchange of a particular sale, William’s clients were flying to the USA for six weeks and, at the last minute, the buyer pulled out. He reported the bad news to his clients just as they were boarding their flight and then got back on the phone to the buyer—30 minutes later, the deal was rescued. Acting quickly, he contacted a friend at British Airways and got a message radioed to the captain, who arranged for William’s clients to be served Champagne with the news that it was to celebrate the exchange of contracts.
Best Agent (Women) – Juliana Markeson, Carter Jonas
It is only appropriate that our best female agent award should go to one who epitomises the ‘show must go on’ tradition. Just before a viewing, Juliana was hit by a stone thrown up by a lawnmower and sent crashing to the ground. Worried that her eye was bleeding, but reassured that it was simply streaming tears, she conducted the appointment and it wasn’t until the viewers had gone that she went to A&E. The injury left her blinded for a week.
Best Costume Design (Men) – Atty Beor-Roberts, Knight Frank
Atty is someone who received nominations for more than one award. The popular agent runs the Cotswolds region for Knight Frank and was put forward by Mark Lawson of The Buying Solution for ‘dressing in typical Cotswolds fashion. Favourites include red jerseys, cord trousers, yellow socks, tweed jackets and the obligatory spotty yellow tie’. But what swayed it for the judges was the final sentence: ‘Once, I saw Atty carrying around a picnic basket as a briefcase.’
Best Costume Design (Women) - Lindsey Thomas, Knight Frank
Lindsey was meeting an owner just before a viewing, when the owner’s dog cocked its leg against her. With no time to do anything about it, she had to conduct affairs with a squelching left shoe and wet trouser leg. The following day, Henry the cocker spaniel sent Lindsey a letter of apology and a £20 note to cover her cleaning bill.
Best Agent in a Supporting Role (Men) – Miles Meacock, Strutt & Parker
Technically speaking, the supporting in this tale is by a cherry-picker, so it ought to receive the award, but the judges decided that Miles could collect it instead. At the house he was selling in Kensington, the buyer threatened to pull out unless the price was reduced as his surveyor had suggested it might need a new roof. However, the vendor knew that the roof was fine and that the surveyor had had no access to it, so ‘Air Miles’ hired a cherry-picker to show the buyer the (perfectly sound) roof up close. The buyer exchanged contracts that afternoon at the asking price.
Best Agent in a Supporting Role (Women) – Katherine Watters, The Buying Solution
Katherine was going to a pitch meeting with a colleague. Said colleague, walking up the garden path, got attacked by a highly territorial goose, which nipped him in an exceedingly tender area. Katherine went to her colleague’s defence, so, when the potential vendor came to his front door, it was to find one agent lying on the floor screaming and clutching himself and the other chasing his goose, swatting at it with a company brochure. The good news is that the pair managed to secure the instruction.
Best Production Design – Andrew Scott, Strutt & Parker
Andrew Scott has received more than one award, but we decided to allow it as he’s a smashing fellow—literally. Faced with a decent, if unexceptional, property that he couldn’t sell, he trashed it. It wasn’t that finding skimpily clad women in cupboards (see below) had convinced him he was living the hotel life of a 1970s rock star—it was a business decision. He marketed the property as ‘unmodernised’ with potential and sold it within the week—for more than its asking price.
Best Production d Design
Best Foreign Language Encounter – Mark Harvey, Knight Frank
Mark agreed to collect a Spanish couple for a viewing. His Spanish was as poor as the English was of the couple he encountered, but, eventually, he got across to them who he was and what he was there for and he took them to the viewing. They liked the place, submitted an offer and ended up buying it. Only when the written offer was submitted, and he saw the buyers’ names, did Mark realise he’d picked up the wrong couple.
Best Foreign Agent – Kerstin Buechner, Quinta Properties
Sisters Alison Buechner Hojbjerg and Kerstin Buechner run Quinta Properties, a Savills associate, in Quinta do Lago on the Algarve. The nomination for this award explains how the sisters ‘are known for their annual party, which has become the go-to event to kick off the social season’. However, one particular sale pushed Kerstin ahead. The buyer wanted all the furniture included, but the sellers refused to part with their designer bed. Neither party would budge, so Kerstin tracked down where the bed was from and ordered an identical one. Deal done.
Best Special Visual Effects – Ed Sugden, Savills
The citation from Ed’s employers explained that he ‘deals with ultra-high-net-worth buyers, which has resulted in some high-profile and private sales’, but it was the next bit that made our judges’ ears prick up. ‘His efforts to help secure a sale have included moving livestock for a helicopter to land, mowing the lawn, fishing out six frogs from a swimming pool and removing a dead badger from a client’s driveway.’ This made him a shoo-in—or shoo-away, anyway—for our visual effects award.
Best Comedy – Andrew Scott, Strutt & Parker
Andrew had a client who hated receiving prospective buyers for viewings, so she would hide in a wardrobe and Andrew would knock on the door to alert her when they’d gone. One day, getting no reply from his signal, he opened the door and found that the lady had passed out and, moreover, that she was only dressed in a skimpy nightie. As he picked her up to put her on the bed, her husband returned, just in time to see the back view of a man carrying his scantily clad wife into their bedroom.
Best Comedy
Outstanding Contribution – Simon Backhouse, Strutt & Parker
Simon instituted Strutt & Parker’s National Open House Day. He says: ‘I’d been to New Zealand and seen Open House Day boards across the street and wondered how could we use the idea. In the dark days of 2008/2009, we needed something to get people through the door, so, one wet January afternoon in 2009, we held our own Open Day and we received a fantastic response.’ Now held twice a year, the event entails all of Strutt & Parker’s properties that are for sale opening their doors to the public.
Award winners were nominated by their fellow agents.
Christopher Clark previews the flagship event of the international cricket calendar.
The Melbourne skyline and the Melbourne cricket ground at sunset.
Australia and New Zealand host the 2015 World Cup, across 44 days of one-day international cricket. Fourteen of the top cricketing nations take part in the tournament, however there is an argument that the format is to long (for example, the football World Cup only lasts 32 days). A tournament in which a team (England) plays six matches in the first month and theoretically only have to beat Afghanistan and Scotland to qualify for the quarter finals must be flawed.
Alastair Cook the former England ODI captain suggested that the much derided ICC Champions Trophy is the best one day competition “because it only lasts two weeks”. However despite the long group phase of the competition there is still plenty to be excited about. There are three teams entering the tournament on top form, hosts Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa who contain the best batsman and bowler in the world.
Bubbling under these three are teams like Sri Lanka, India and deep breath, England who on any given day can give the three favourites a real game. Throw into the mix the Pakistanis and West Indians who can veer from the sublime to the ridiculous from one game to the next, there is plenty to be excited about.
The 2015 World Cup is split into top groups of 7, which are as follows:
Group A Australia
Bangladesh
England
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
Afghanistan
Scotland
Group B India
Pakistan
South Africa
West Indies
Zimbabwe
Ireland
United Arab Emirates
Each team plays each other once, and the top 4 qualify to play each other in the quarter finals.
When it comes to the World Cup’s England’s default setting is one of underachievement. They have been runners up on 3 occasions, the last of those more than two decades ago, when the tournament was last held in Australasia (1992). A quarter final should be a formality this time around, and if they can avoid South Africa in the quarter final, then there is no reason why they cannot make the semi-finals. Group A is by far the stronger of the two groups and England will have tougher matches in their groups, then their prospective quarter final opponents. Ian Bell was surprisingly selected ahead of Alex Hales in the tri-series tournament to open the batting, however Bell excelled. He has given England’s innings a fluent and technically sound start. On his day, Ian Bell is one of the best batsmen in the world, and England will hope that he continues this form into the World Cup.
England’s star man Whilst Broad, Woakes and Finn pitched in with plenty of wickets in the tri series, James Anderson is undoubtedly the leader of English attack, and his temperament and economical bowling will be key, when Australia’s, New Zealand and Sri Lanka’s attacking batsman look to explode in the opening 20overs.
England’s one to watch Jos Buttler has the potential to be the next great wicket-keeper batsman. In a generation where his peers Kumar Sangakkara and Brendan McCullum come to the end of their career, Buttler is at the start. His deft touch, dynamism and power have a chance to cause real damage for England, in the latter overs of matches.
…and the rest:
Group A
Australia World Champions in three of the last four World Cups, Australia will be the team to beat. Blessed with as an explosive opening pair as the world game can offer (Warner/Finch), backed up by a strong middle order, getting plenty of runs shouldn’t be an issue. They have an army of seamers, to wreak devastation and havoc in the opposition, their only weakness is they have no front-line spinner. However with their seamers and the pitches in Australia, this is a minor weakness.
Australia’s star man David Warner – Belligerent and magnificent. His power at the top of the innings makes for compelling viewing, and he is a real box office player.
Australia’s one to watch Mitchell Starc – Bowling at 90mph this left arm fast bowler has perfected bowling at the beginning and end of one day innings. Expect him to take plenty of wickets.
New Zealand Sliding under the radar has always been the New Zealand approach, but this tournament they are now one of the favourites, led by the excellent Brendan McCullum. The batting has plenty of firepower, and the bowling whilst not having a world-beater are workmanlike and effective. With Daniel Vettori adding guile with his spin bowling expect the Kiwis to come close.
New Zealand’s star man
Brendan McCullum – The best captain in world cricket, his aggressive and fearless captaincy has inspired confidence throughout his side. Meanwhile his batting remains as irrepressible as ever.
New Zealand’s one to watch Kane Williamson – The glue in the New Zealand batting line up. Whilst his team mates tee off at one end, Williamson pushes the ball around at a run-a-ball. A hugely under-rated player.
Sri Lanka Their victory in the 96 World Cup changed the way one day cricket was played. Their aggressive style approach is now the blueprint for every side. Two runners up spots in the last two tournaments, show their pedigree. However this is an aging side, and time may finally be up against them.
Sri Lanka’s star man Kumar Sangakkara – One of the true greats of the modern game. Sangakkara will be aiming to end his one day cricket with a real flourish. An expert gloveman, a batsman that oozes class.
Sri Lanka’s one to watch Suranga Lakmal – On the Australian bouncy wickets, expect this tall paceman to cause opposition real trouble.
Bangladesh On the sub-continent Bangladesh are always a threat. However in pacier conditions their batsman may suffer, and their bowling is not strong. Although a side which contains Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al-Hasan and Mahmudallah should never be under-estimated.
Bangladesh’s star man Shakib Al-Hasan is the third ranked all rounder in one day cricket, and his slow left arm bowling is impressive in 50over cricket.
Bangladesh’s one to watch Tamim Iqbal – When this guy is in full flow he is a class act. However hugely inconsistent,
Scotland Scotland under Paul Collingwood deserve great credit for qualifying for their third world cup. They will be aiming to beat Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and will obviously have one eye on the game against England.
Scotland’s star man Preston Momsett – The captain scored 139 in the final of the qualifying tournament, and he will need to produce more of the same.
Scotland’s one to watch Paul Collingwood – ECB officials will be watching Collingwood’s coaching performances very closely, with one eye on his role in future England coaching set ups.
Afghanistan
If you’re looking for a fairytale story, then look no further. As recently as 2008 they were playing in Division 5 of the World Cricket League, but they have climbed the ranks to become one of the stronger Associate teams. Whether they can test the established teams is debatable, but they are a welcome addition.
Afghanistan’s star man Mohammed Nabi – The experience all rounder will have to produce with bat and ball if Afghanistan are to have any impact
Afghanistan’s one to watch Aftab Alam – Took wickets against Zimbabwe in 2014, he will need to chip in here as well.
Group B
India Third favourites in the betting behind Australia and South Africa, however they have had an awful few months. They have been in Australia for 80 days playing a combination of tests and one-dayers primarily against Australia, and have not won a match. Confidence is fragile, and they start up against Pakistan and South Africa. If they lose both of those, heads certainly will drop. India have undoubted world stars, but will hold no fears for their prospective opponents in the quarter finals
India’s star man Virat Kohli – The new Indian superstar. He already has an incredible 21 one day centuries, and he’s easy eye on the batting will be a joy to watch.
India’s one to watch Umesh Yadav – Yadav bowls quick, not necessarily accurately, but he offers genuine pace. After the injury to Ishant Sharma, he could prove key for India.
South Africa South Africa enter every World Cup as one of the favourites, but invariably they choke at the vital moment, most memorably in that epic semi final against Australia in 1999. South Africa boast the best batsman (AB De Villiers), and best bowler (Dale Steyn) in the game. Like the Australians they have a stellar line up, and the lack of a top line spinner is the only weakness.
South Africa’s star man AB De Villiers – The greatest cricketer in the game. The current No 1 ranked batsman in the world has the all-round game to lead South Africa to their first World Cup triumph.
South Africa’s one to watch Kyle Abbott – Whilst as not as quick as Steyn and Morkel, Abbott has developed the vital skill of being able to bowl at the end of the innings. His temperament may prove vital in tight matches
Pakistan Enigmatic. They have talent to burn, but they do not always deliver. One game likely to hit 350, the next likely to get out for 120. You never know what you’re going to get. However they did win the World Cup last time it was held in Australia…so you never know.
Pakistan’s star man Shahid Afridi – Explosive batting, dangerous leg spin bowling. Afridi’s change of pace and accuracy will be key for Pakistan in restricting their opponents.
Pakistan’s one to watch Mohammed Irfan – The tall pace bowler should be a threat in these conditions. However with Pakistan, you never know.
West Indies Beset by problems between their own board and players. The following first choice players are not going to the World Cup; Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo. Under inexperienced captain Jason Holder, West Indies have some firepower, but internal fighting may cost them dear.
West Indies’ star man Chris Gayle – Gayle saves his best performances like the rest of his team-mates for the 20/20 competitions, however in his last World Cup he may want to go out with a flourish
West Indies’ one to watch Jason Holder – How will this young captain manage this team of mercurial players. A real test for the inexperienced quick bowler.
Ireland If a push for full Test status is the Irish aim, then a good showing in this tournament is imperative. With 4 sides qualifying for the quarter finals, Ireland will be looking to prey on the West Indies weaknesses. With experienced county players in their line up, they have a chance to upset the apple cart.
Ireland’s star man Ed Joyce – A stylish batsman, a prolific run scorer for Sussex, Joyce could squeeze Ireland into the knockout stages
Ireland’s one to watch George Dockrell – Four years ago bright things were expected of Dockrell, it never quite happened. Could this be the Irishman’s moment now.
Zimbabwe In the past Zimbabwe would have been the team all the big sides wanted to avoid, the prosperous side of the late 90s has given way to a side battling to keep it’s head above the water. A recent thrashing by Bangladesh hardly inspires confidence.
Zimbabwe’s star man Brendan Taylor – The wicket-keeper batsman is Zimbabwe’s most experienced player, and his knowledge will be vital when the side will undoubtedly be under pressure.
Zimbabwe’s one to watch Solomon Mire – An explosive hitter, his big hitting style could cause damage.
UAE In their second World Cup, they will be hoping to improve on their last appearance, when they only won one game. A favourable start against Zimbabwe and Ireland may assist them, before they have to play the big boys.
UAE’s star man Khurram Khan – In just nine international matches, he already has one century and two fifties.
UAE’s one to watch Aaqib Javed – Ex Pakistani world cup winner Javed will be looking to inspire his side to victory.
Your chance to win a prestigious award while celebrating our natural heritage.
Keith Thorburn’s The King of Rannoch Moor and Glencoe, Scotland was highly commended in the animal portrait category last year.
Entries have opened for the annual British Wildlife Photography Awards, which carry a £5,000 overall first prize as well as additional valuable prizes of photography equipment.
There are sixteen separate categories including animal behaviour, urban wildlife, habitat, animal portraits, marine life, the hidden secret world that lies in the undergrowth and a special award for wildlife in HD VideoAlso two junior categories and a school award – to encourage young people to connect with nature through photography.
Bank vole by Jamie Unwin.
Chris Packham, naturalist and television presenter said “Each year the British Wildlife Photography Awards generates an incredible catalogue of splendid, exciting, imaginative and artistic images, proving beyond doubt that we have the richest palette of life to celebrate in our own backyard. Anyone passionate about protecting and preserving wildlife will be inspired by the British Wildlife Photography Awards, which in its sixth year has done more than any other award to raise the profile of British wildlife.”
Fox by Alannah Hawker.
The best photographs will be exhibited at the Mall Galleries, London SW1, in September and will feature in a book.
The closing date is May 2, 2015. Visit www.bwpawards.co.uk for further details.
This beautiful property in Benahavis boasts partial sea and mountain views.
This luxurious Andalucia style villa in Marbella is situated in the residential neighborhood of Fuente del Espanto, Benahavis, just a few minutes drive from San Pedro and 10 minutes from Puerto Banus.
An impressive drive-way leads to this beautiful house which is presented in show home condition and conveniently distributed over one level. The bungalow villa has a large living room with fireplace, 4 double bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms and the main bedroom with walk-in dressing room. There is also a study and a fitted kitchen with dining room.
Outside, there is also a separate guest house or staff house with a solarium which has wonderful views of La Concha mountain and the sea in the distance. There are terraces surrounding the property, manicured mature gardens and a heated salt water swimming pool.
The guide price is €850,000. For further information please contact Cluttons on +44 (0) 20 7647 7243.
For sale through Knight Frank (020–7861 5195) and Savills (020–7409 8756), The Corinthia Residences at Whitehall’s trophy Corinthia Hotel are a luxurious collection of 11 exclusive apartments created within the walls of 10, Whitehall Place, a landmark building constructed by the British Ministry of Works in 1910–14.
After almost a century as a ministerial headquarters, the building, with its elegantly arched bridge over Scotland Place, has been acquired by the Corinthia hotel group, which has retained its grand façade and elegant proportions while totally transforming the interior. With two apartments already sold, the nine remaining two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, which have access to all the hotel’s facilities and services, are on offer at prices ranging from £8.56m to £16.66m.
Prices start from £8.56m. For further information please contact Knight Frank on 020–7861 5195 or Savills on 020–7409 8756.
Fig 1. Formerly the London HQ of the National Trust, 32, Queen Anne’s Gate is now a vast family home. £25m
The oldest and most charming of London’s eight Royal Parks, St James’s Park is surrounded by the three great palaces—the ancient Palace of Westminster (now the houses of Parliament), St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace— that encapsulate the power and pomp of the world’s favourite capital city. Yet tucked away behind the grand buildings of state and empire, a handful of discreet, understated streets abutting the park have been, and still are, home to some of the richest and most influential men of their day: from yesterday’s peers, Prime Ministers, painters and industrialists to today’s pop stars, hedge-funders, bankers and heads of multinational corporations.
One of the reasons why the quiet backwaters of Westminster may have been overlooked by wealthy foreigners in favour of the shiny enclaves of Belgravia, Kensington and Mayfair is that many of the area’s most important buildings have been used as government or commercial offices since the Second World War and are only now returning to residential use.
Fig 1. Formerly the London HQ of the National Trust, 32, Queen Anne’s Gate is now a vast family home. £25m
Another factor is that houses over- looking St James’s Park in SW1 rarely come to the open market, says Noel de Keyzer of Savills (020–7730 0822), who has been showing potential purchasers from Russia, Asia and the Far East around sumptuous, Grade I-listed, 32, Queen Anne’s Gate (Fig 1), which is for sale freehold at a guide price of £25 million.
Part of a terrace of elegant early-18th-century houses that runs parallel to Birdcage Walk and St James’s Park, 32, Queen Anne’s Gate is, according to its listing, one of ‘an exceptional group of Queen Anne houses built between 1700 and 1704’. More recently, the building was the London headquarters of the National Trust before its present owners bought it three years ago and embarked on an ambitious renovation programme, which, in contrast to the sobriety of the Queen Anne brick façade, has seen the interior exuberantly refurbished to contemporary ‘international’ standards of technology and design.
The house differs from other properties in the street in that a bowed extension, added to the rear during a late-18th-/early-19th-century remodelling, allowed for more imposing rear reception rooms, notably the majestic, first-floor piano nobile directly overlooking St James’s Park.
Palatial accommodation on four floors includes a state-of-the-art kitchen, a breakfast room and a wine cellar on the lower ground floor; an entrance hall, study, drawing room, bar and roof terrace on the ground floor; a library, dining room and servery on the first floor; a grand master suite with his-and-hers bathrooms on the second floor; three bedroom suites, a fourth bedroom and a shower room on the third floor; and two further bedrooms with bath/ showers, a family room and a terrace on the fourth floor.
Fig 2. Overlooking the park and Birdcage Walk is 26, Old Queen Street. ‘Offers over £21m’
Adjoining Queen Anne’s Gate is Old Queen Street, another historic Westminster thoroughfare overlooking Birdcage Walk and St James’s Park, where Grade II-listed, Georgian, No 26 (Fig 2) is for sale through Hathaways (020–7222 3133) and Knight Frank (020–7881 7722) at ‘offers over £21m’ for the freehold— not including the garden, which is held under licence from the Royal Parks.
Old Queen Street started out as a lane on the south side of St James’s Park, which was laid out as yet another deer park by Henry VIII in the early 1500s. Later, the Royal Menagerie and Aviary on Birdcage Walk provided innocent amusement for Charles II. Until 1828, only the Royal Family and the Hereditary Grand Falconer, the Duke of St Albans, were entitled to ride down the road. ‘Nowadays,’ says Susannah Odgers of Hathaways, ‘people who buy in these sought-after streets are generally aware of the political and cultural histories of these large individual properties, which were built with opulent living and entertainment in mind.’
Fig 2. Overlooking the park and Birdcage Walk is 26, Old Queen Street. ‘Offers over £21m’
A striking black-brick house built in about 1770, 26, Old Queen St was previously used as offices and owned by the Christ’s Hospital Foundation. It has now been magnificently refurbished as a splendid family home, with four grand reception rooms, a family kitchen, dining and living rooms on the lower ground floor and five bedrooms, including a two-storey master suite with its own study, two bathrooms, two dressing rooms, and an elaborate internal staircase.
It also boasts a media room with a terrace on the top floor, with views over Horse Guards Parade, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and the House of Lords.
A Georgian ‘double house’, 4, Lord North Street is in a location with considerable political history and music lovers will be thrilled by its proximity to St John’s Smith Square. £5.9m
Hathaways are also handling the sale—at a guide price of £5.9m— of a rare Westminster gem, 4, Lord North Street (Fig 3), a Grade II*- listed, Georgian ‘double house’, built between 1720 and 1725 as two adjacent houses and combined into one in the early 1900s. Sin house has been the cherished family home of financial wizard Adam Wethered, his wife, Diana, and their five children.
With its 30ft of frontage and 3,587sq ft of living space (excluding the vaults and lower levels), the house has well-proportioned, light-filled rooms—four reception rooms, six bedrooms and four bath/shower rooms—that led to its being chosen as the backdrop for one of the first Farrow & Ball catalogues.
Although largely unrefurbished, but carefully maintained, this is a special house of great character, which has one of the largest walled gardens in Westminster.
A Georgian ‘double house’, 4, Lord North Street is in a location with considerable political history and music lovers will be thrilled by its proximity to St John’s Smith Square. £5.9m
Described by the writer Bunny Smedley as ‘the natural territory of political insiders’ (Lord North Street 1725–1996: A Westminster Portrait), Lord North Street runs from Smith Square to Great Peter Street— an area often referred to as Old Westminster—and was one of London’s first speculative developments, built 300 years ago to house the clerical staff of Westminster and the Court.
Anthony Eden and Harold Wilson both had houses here, as, more recently, did Jonathan Aitken. And 4, Lord North Street was once owned by the former Home Secretary Lord Anderson, the inventor of the Anderson air-raid shelter, whose design may well have been inspired by the vaults beneath his house.
For sale through the Ipswich office of Savills (01473 234800) at a guide price of £1.25m, Grade II-listed Olden Manor in the conservation village of Higham, Suffolk, was nominated by Marcus Binney, in his book In Search of the Perfect House, as his ‘most covetable 15th- or 16th-century timber-framed house…in Suffolk’.
For the past eight years, the house, set in almost an acre of delightful gardens and grounds, has been the cherished weekend home of London-based David Peters and his family. During their tenure, house and garden have been renewed and restored to create the perfect village hideaway in the heart of Constable country, 50 minutes from Colchester to London Liverpool Street. The house boasts an impressive, double-height, galleried Great Hall, two reception rooms, a kitchen/ breakfast room, five bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms.
The guide price is £1.25m. For further information please contact Savills on 01473 234 800.
Follow in the footsteps of these owners with vision, who have created their own Edens.
Fig 1: Dreamy Mere Down House, at Mere, Wiltshire, has
a distinctive French flavour. £2.25m.
Impossible n’est pas français,’ said Napoleon grandly, or words to that effect. For the intrepid David and Mary Thomas, ‘impossible’ wasn’t English either, when, in 1999, they set out to rebuild Grade II-listed mere Down House (Fig 1, above) in Wiltshire, an architectural voyage of discovery from which they emerged triumphant five years later. The decade since then has been the happiest of times for the couple and their Millfield-educated sons, but now, sadly, it’s time to downsize and their Wiltshire showpiece has been launched on the market through Strutt & Parker (01722 344 010).
Mrs Thomas remembers mere Down House as ‘a mean, miserable little house’ when she and her husband bought it in 1997, although its origins were impressive enough, its construction—of silvery local stone under a Cornish slate roof—reassuringly solid and its situation peerless.
Built on Duchy of Cornwall land between 1920 and 1922 for the daughters of a shipping magnate friend of Edward VII, it sits in a glorious position in chalk downland high above the pretty, unspoilt town of Mere, which was first settled in Saxon times. Surrounded by swathes of Duchy of Cornwall and National Trust land within the West Wiltshire and Cranborne Chase AONB, the house enjoys direct access to a vast network of paths, riding tracks and open downland, once traversed by the Romans and now inhabited by a huge variety of wildlife.
A well-informed passion for late-17th-/early-18th-century English domestic architecture, allied to an appreciation of traditional French and Italian country-house design, was the inspiration behind the Thomases’ plans for the ‘new’ mere Down House, with its striking millennium tower and loggia based on Mr Thomas’s mother’s house in Lot-et-Garonne, and Mrs Thomas’s pet project, a Lutyensesque courtyard with a two-car ‘motor house’, a machinery store and an upstairs room that could also be used as an office.
Fig 2: The Thomases have redone the interiors to create an elegant family home.
The greatest innovation has taken place inside the house itself (Fig 2), where a collection of small rooms has been transformed into a cheerful confusion of chambers of varying colours, shapes and sizes, each with its own particular charm, and showcasing the use of wide, wax-polished oak floorboards, oak panelling and antique marble flooring in the hall. The vast, pale-blue kitchen/breakfast room, with its friendly, four-oven Aga and well-fitted larder, is the sunny heart of the house, with dual-aspect windows overlooking the enchanting gardens to the south and west.
A pretty, Georgian-style, main staircase—exquisitely worked by local craftsmen—leads from the brightly coloured hall to three double bedrooms, an oval-shaped library and a study on the first floor; above the library, the tower staircase leads to a further double bedroom. And, throwing away the country-house rulebook, the master suite has been located in the roof. ‘The views of the garden would have been wasted on the children,’ Mr Thomas explains.
The planners must have raised their eyebrows at the idea of the octagonal tower with its conical roof inspired by the houses of the Dordogne, but Mr Thomas got his way. As, it appears, did Mrs Thomas in her areas of special interest, notably the design and layout of the gardens—parts of which were recovered from the remnants of the 1920s original and the rest of which she planted with chalk-loving species such as Daphne bholua and other hardy Himalayan plants.
The purchase of an additional five-acre paddock from the Duchy allowed her ample room to spread her gardening wings over the years: ‘You can’t grow annuals here, so we created a cutting garden to provide flowers for the house, which give us wonderful colour for 7–8 months of the year,’ she adds.
Fig 3: The spectacular gardens of Sherwood House, at Newton St Cyres, Devon, are sure to appeal to the green- fingered. £1.5m.
Even now, architect Jonathan Harker, of the Llewellyn Harker partnership in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, chuckles as he recalls the Thomases’ ‘wonderfully anarchic’ approach to the entire rebuilding project, which, thanks to the application of sound architectural principles and the skills of a supremely talented workforce, has realised the vendors’ dream of combining ‘all the very best of old and new’.
Both of which are also happily combined at Sherwood House (Fig 3), near the village of Newton St Cyres, five miles from Exeter, Devon, which relaunches on the market this week at a guide price of £1.5m through Savills (01392 455700).
For almost half a century, until his death in 2009, Sherwood House was the home of the late Sir John Quicke and his wife, Prue, who between them developed one of Devon’s most magnificent woodland gardens across two steep-sided valleys surrounding the house.
A forward-thinking farmer and agricultural innovator, Sir John and his children belong to one of the few Saxon families who have retained land in the South-West since before the Norman Conquest.
The gardens were originally laid out before the First World War and their sheltered habitat is ideal for even the tallest magnolias, of which Sherwood boasts some 230 varieties. These start their display in mid March and bloom, along with the camellias, until the end of April. The rhododendrons take over in May, with deciduous azaleas providing a splendid show in late May and June. The year rounds off in october and November with autumn colour provided by berberis and maple trees.
In the coming weeks and months, with the spring trees and shrubs springing into leaf, ‘driving up the long no-through road to Sherwood is a magical experience,’ says selling agent Richard Addington. The spacious main house, arranged around a central courtyard, has recently been occupied by two generations of the vendor’s family and adapted accordingly, but the house could easily be restored to its original design, which would include four or five good reception rooms and up to 10 bedrooms, Mr Addington suggests.
Sherwood House and its 25 acres of garden, (with a further 50 acres of land available if required), are supported by a range of outbuildings and a cottage, still home to gardener Vaughan Gallavan, an expert plantsman who has worked at Sherwood for more than 30 years.
Whatever your need for additional living space, these country houses each boast exceptional ancillary accommodation, perfect for a granny annexe, summer house or even a holiday home.
Wiltshire, £1.2 million
Newtown Farm, Semington
This stone-built farmhouse sits in three acres alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal. It has six bedrooms, a swimming pool and a self-contained cottage with two bedrooms, a sitting room, dining room and kitchen. Humberts (01249 444 557)
Devon, £1.2 million
Hele Linhay, Ashburton
Standing within the Dartmoor National Park is this pretty house, which has been attractively decorated throughout. It has four bedrooms, an open-plan Aga kitchen and a two-bedroom barn conversion, which makes an excellent holiday let. Marchand Petit (01803 847 979)
Powys, £850,000
Glan Wysg, Sennybridge
This elegant Grade II-listed house stands on the banks of the River Usk within the Brecon Beacons National Park. It has five bedrooms, a stable block, 41⁄2 acres and a three-bedroom cottage. Savills (02920 368 930)
Suffolk, £1.75 million Ford Hall, Long Melford
A magnificent Grade II-listed manor house, Ford Hall is believed to date from the 16th century. It benefits from a range of outbuildings including a large timber framed barn, an office, 5 stables, stable yard, triple bay pool house with clock tower and wonderful fully self-contained cart lodge cottage. Carter Jonas (01787 882 881)
Isle of Skye, £750,000 Crionach, Kingsburgh, Portree
Beautifully constructed coastal house with views of the majestic Cuillin mountain range and to the Outer Hebrides. It boasts four bedrooms (all with en suite facilities) and a recently renovated boathouse which functions as self contained cottage. Knight Frank (0131 222 9600)
The inaugural event opens at Olympia this Friday 27 February, 2015.
The Dubai Property Show is exhibiting at Olympia this year for the very first time. It will offer visitors to the show a unique opportunity to view a fantastic selection of Dubai and UAE properties in one highly targeted showcase.
The free event will host over 120 exhibitors, offering private islands, beach resorts and luxury villas, as well as a selection of lower budget options, to suit every investor’s needs.
Dubai is currently Britain’s third most preferred destination to invest in, and this three-day show will offer prospective buyers direct access to the real estate industry, from consultants and brokers to developers and marketing agents.
Sumansa Exhibitions together with the Dubai Land Department are delighted to announce that His Excellency Abdulrahman Almutaiwee CVO, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to United Kingdom will be opening the exhibition at the official opening ceremony of the Dubai Property Show.
Sunil Jaiswal, President of Sumansa Exhibitions said: “We’re very proud to present the innovative and highly exclusive concept of Dubai Property Show. Dubai’s real estate is one of the best markets in the world and surely the number one in Middle East region.’
The Dubai Property Show runs from 27 February – 1st March 2015. For further information please visit www.thedubaipropertyshow.com
Fancy your own Wolf Hall? These properties boast superb Tudor features, fit for a king.
Wings Place, East Sussex, £1.85 million
Grade I listed, Wings Place, sometimes referred to as ‘Anne of Cleves House’, is an outstanding example of a 16th century village house. It has five bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and beautiful south-facing gardens that overlook the South Downs. Strutt & Parker (01273 475 411)
Westlands Farmhouse, Surrey, £1.05 million This beautiful Grade II listed farmhouse dates back to 1565 and sits within 13 acres of pasture land and paddocks. It has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a range of farm buildings and barns which would make excellent equestrian facilities. King & Chasemore (01403 264 444)
Tudor Cottage, Warwickshire, £500,000 This cottage in Bearley dates back to the 15th century and occupies a beautiful position opposite the village church. Grade II listed, the black and white timber-framed property has three bedrooms, a bathroom and a pretty garden. Knight Frank (01789 297 735)
Edwins Hall, Essex, £2.95 million This fabulous Tudor manor house was named after Edwin Sandys, Archbishop of York in the 16th century. Grade II listed, the property boasts eight bedrooms, an indoor swimming pool, first class equestrian facilities and double moated mature grounds. Zoe Napier(01621 840 333)
Thurston End Hall, Suffolk, £2.5 million This exceptional Grade I listed manor house sits in 31 acres of mature gardens, woodland, paddocks and water meadows on the banks of the River Glem. It has eight bedrooms, four bathrooms a tennis court and a swimming pool. Savills (01473 234 830)
The Malt House, Worcestershire, £500,000 Grade II listed, this four bedroom Tudor house dates back to 1502 and retains many of its original features including exposed beams and inglenook firepaces. Several outbuildings and a secluded south east facing garden offer scope for restoration and development. Fine & Country (01926 455 950)
Flowton Priory, Hertfordshire, £6.75 million Originally built in 1525 in the village of Flowton in Suffolk, Flowton Priory was transported brick by brick in 1928 to its present idyllic location within West Common, Harpenden. It has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, an impressive garden atrium and wonderful formal gardens with arboretum and parterres. Savills (01582 465 002)
Popples Farmhouse, Suffolk, £2.25 million
Delightful Grade II* listed Popples Farmhouse is an immaculate, 15th-century, timber-framed moated farmhouse, just south of the conservation village of Brettenham. It has seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, a heated swimming pool, a tennis court, an annexe, barns, stabling and paddocks. Strutt & Parker (020 7629 7282)
Tudor House, Oxfordshire, £900,000 This Grade II listed village house in Sutton Courtenay was once owned by Edward VII and has been sympathetically renovated to a high standard. It has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and an attractive walled garden with various outbuildings. Scott Fraser (01865 759 500)
Olden Manor, Suffolk, £1.25 million Grade II listed, Olden Manor was nominated by Marcus Binney, in his book In Search of the Perfect House, as his ‘most covetable 15th- or 16th-century timber-framed house…in Suffolk.’ The house boasts an impressive galleried Great Hall, five bedrooms, three bathrooms and beautifully managed gardens and grounds including a pretty pond. Savills (01473 234 800)
As this weekend’s BAFTAs celebrate the best in cinema and TV, we recognise those agents who go above and beyond in the world of top property. Roderick Easdale opens the golden envelopes, Illustrations by Mark Draisey.
Best Special Visual Effects
Best Agent (Men) - William Morrison, Knight Frank
On the day of exchange of a particular sale, William’s clients were flying to the USA for six weeks and, at the last minute, the buyer pulled out. He reported the bad news to his clients just as they were boarding their flight and then got back on the phone to the buyer—30 minutes later, the deal was rescued. Acting quickly, he contacted a friend at British Airways and got a message radioed to the captain, who arranged for William’s clients to be served Champagne with the news that it was to celebrate the exchange of contracts.
Best Agent (Women) – Juliana Markeson, Carter Jonas
It is only appropriate that our best female agent award should go to one who epitomises the ‘show must go on’ tradition. Just before a viewing, Juliana was hit by a stone thrown up by a lawnmower and sent crashing to the ground. Worried that her eye was bleeding, but reassured that it was simply streaming tears, she conducted the appointment and it wasn’t until the viewers had gone that she went to A&E. The injury left her blinded for a week.
Best Costume Design (Men) – Atty Beor-Roberts, Knight Frank
Atty is someone who received nominations for more than one award. The popular agent runs the Cotswolds region for Knight Frank and was put forward by Mark Lawson of The Buying Solution for ‘dressing in typical Cotswolds fashion. Favourites include red jerseys, cord trousers, yellow socks, tweed jackets and the obligatory spotty yellow tie’. But what swayed it for the judges was the final sentence: ‘Once, I saw Atty carrying around a picnic basket as a briefcase.’
Best Costume Design (Women) - Lindsey Thomas, Knight Frank
Lindsey was meeting an owner just before a viewing, when the owner’s dog cocked its leg against her. With no time to do anything about it, she had to conduct affairs with a squelching left shoe and wet trouser leg. The following day, Henry the cocker spaniel sent Lindsey a letter of apology and a £20 note to cover her cleaning bill.
Best Agent in a Supporting Role (Men) – Miles Meacock, Strutt & Parker
Technically speaking, the supporting in this tale is by a cherry-picker, so it ought to receive the award, but the judges decided that Miles could collect it instead. At the house he was selling in Kensington, the buyer threatened to pull out unless the price was reduced as his surveyor had suggested it might need a new roof. However, the vendor knew that the roof was fine and that the surveyor had had no access to it, so ‘Air Miles’ hired a cherry-picker to show the buyer the (perfectly sound) roof up close. The buyer exchanged contracts that afternoon at the asking price.
Best Agent in a Supporting Role (Women) – Katherine Watters, The Buying Solution
Katherine was going to a pitch meeting with a colleague. Said colleague, walking up the garden path, got attacked by a highly territorial goose, which nipped him in an exceedingly tender area. Katherine went to her colleague’s defence, so, when the potential vendor came to his front door, it was to find one agent lying on the floor screaming and clutching himself and the other chasing his goose, swatting at it with a company brochure. The good news is that the pair managed to secure the instruction.
Best Production Design – Andrew Scott, Strutt & Parker
Andrew Scott has received more than one award, but we decided to allow it as he’s a smashing fellow—literally. Faced with a decent, if unexceptional, property that he couldn’t sell, he trashed it. It wasn’t that finding skimpily clad women in cupboards (see below) had convinced him he was living the hotel life of a 1970s rock star—it was a business decision. He marketed the property as ‘unmodernised’ with potential and sold it within the week—for more than its asking price.
Best Production Design
Best Foreign Language Encounter – Mark Harvey, Knight Frank
Mark agreed to collect a Spanish couple for a viewing. His Spanish was as poor as the English was of the couple he encountered, but, eventually, he got across to them who he was and what he was there for and he took them to the viewing. They liked the place, submitted an offer and ended up buying it. Only when the written offer was submitted, and he saw the buyers’ names, did Mark realise he’d picked up the wrong couple.
Best Foreign Agent – Kerstin Buechner, Quinta Properties
Sisters Alison Buechner Hojbjerg and Kerstin Buechner run Quinta Properties, a Savills associate, in Quinta do Lago on the Algarve. The nomination for this award explains how the sisters ‘are known for their annual party, which has become the go-to event to kick off the social season’. However, one particular sale pushed Kerstin ahead. The buyer wanted all the furniture included, but the sellers refused to part with their designer bed. Neither party would budge, so Kerstin tracked down where the bed was from and ordered an identical one. Deal done.
Best Special Visual Effects – Ed Sugden, Savills
The citation from Ed’s employers explained that he ‘deals with ultra-high-net-worth buyers, which has resulted in some high-profile and private sales’, but it was the next bit that made our judges’ ears prick up. ‘His efforts to help secure a sale have included moving livestock for a helicopter to land, mowing the lawn, fishing out six frogs from a swimming pool and removing a dead badger from a client’s driveway.’ This made him a shoo-in—or shoo-away, anyway—for our visual effects award.
Best Comedy – Andrew Scott, Strutt & Parker
Andrew had a client who hated receiving prospective buyers for viewings, so she would hide in a wardrobe and Andrew would knock on the door to alert her when they’d gone. One day, getting no reply from his signal, he opened the door and found that the lady had passed out and, moreover, that she was only dressed in a skimpy nightie. As he picked her up to put her on the bed, her husband returned, just in time to see the back view of a man carrying his scantily clad wife into their bedroom.
Best Comedy
Outstanding Contribution – Simon Backhouse, Strutt & Parker
Simon instituted Strutt & Parker’s National Open House Day. He says: ‘I’d been to New Zealand and seen Open House Day boards across the street and wondered how could we use the idea. In the dark days of 2008/2009, we needed something to get people through the door, so, one wet January afternoon in 2009, we held our own Open Day and we received a fantastic response.’ Now held twice a year, the event entails all of Strutt & Parker’s properties that are for sale opening their doors to the public.
Award winners were nominated by their fellow agents.
