Home Counties
There’s no definitive list as to which areas make up the Home Counties. However, it’s generally accepted that they are the counties surrounding London such as Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent. Sussex is also often rightly included as it forms part of the London commuter belt.
So who is currently buying where and why? Nick Mead, partner at The Buying Solution (Home Counties), says,
“For many years the favourite home of the international buyer looking in the Home Counties has been the private estates of North Surrey. Both Wentworth and St. George’s Hill are synonymous with high quality housing, great amenities and a good level of security which is particularly popular when owners are only part time residents. These estates have suffered in recent years as rising currency costs and taxation have impacted upon demand just as supply of new developments has increased. Some recent transactions suggest resurgence and there is certainly value to be had for the well-advised buyer.
“An increasing trend seems to be the appetite for homes further out into the countryside where buyers will find a truer sense of England, greater character and the impression of greater sophistication. Prime areas of the Surrey Hills and the Chiltern Hills are particularly in demand.”
Andrea Hewitt of buying agents Garrington Property Finders has found that, after several years of steadily rising prices, the prime property market is pausing for breath in some of the most desirable parts of Surrey.
“An influx of footballers and wealthy Russian buyers has pushed prices to dizzying heights,”
she explains,
“and sparked a rash of building top-end properties in the most well-heeled enclaves of Weybridge and Oxshott. But this year a combination of uncertainty over the prospect of a mansion tax, the collapse of the Rouble, a stronger Pound and a sudden surge in the supply of top-end properties has taken some of the froth off the market.”
“For example, one of the most high profile development firms – which has historically been very successful in this area – is seeing much more competition. As a result it has been forced to cut prices and add ever more luxurious features to attract buyers who are looking for something truly unique.
“As a result it’s a buyer’s market – and there are some exceptional deals to be had, especially in the super prime £5 million to £10 million bracket. Deals can even be had in ultra exclusive areas like Weybridge’s St George’s Hill and the Crown Estate in Oxshott – which are prized by the rich and famous for their seclusion and privacy. Over the longer term, property in these areas remains a sound investment as the exclusivity and quality of the homes – not to mention the celebrity neighbours – will always be in demand.”
Above: The Mount, Oxshott Crown Estate, Surrey
This six-bedroom mansion of approximately 12,000 square feet is within just under an acre of gated landscaped grounds. Spread over three floors, The Mount features generously proportioned rooms, high specification finishes and extensive leisure facilities.
The grand entrance area features a sweeping staircase and a stunning three metre, bespoke glass chandelier. Leading from the entrance corridor is a formal drawing room and dining room, complete with a beautiful bespoke two-tiered Swarovski chandelier. The impressive kitchen/breakfast room features a contemporary Boffi kitchen.
Leisure facilities include a 9.5 metre swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam and rain shower facilities as well as a media/cinema room, complete with the latest surround sound technology. The utility room and service areas with separate staff entrance are on the east side of the property and provide access to a self-contained annexe.
The sumptuous master bedroom suite covers a third of the first floor. The VIP suite includes a large terrace, en suite bathroom and bespoke his and hers dressing rooms. Designed with family i n mind, there are three spacious bedrooms on the first floor and a further two bedrooms on the second floor, all with en suite bathrooms.
£7.95m / €11.1m / $12.1m Savills +44 (0)1932 586200
Coolham Manor, Coolham, West Sussex
An elegant country home with superb equestrian facilities, this nine-bedroom country manor is within 100 acres of gardens and woodland. the property features polished wooden floors and oak beams. Coolham Manor was the principle residence of the Hungerhill Estate and is a fine replica of a Sussex manor house believed to have been built in the second half of the 19th century and considerably enlarged between the wars.
Spacious accommodation across two floors is complemented by superb leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool and sauna, four stables, an indoor riding school and a tennis court. With period interiors throughout, rooms have oak beamed ceilings, oak joinery and polished oak floors. The property also includes many outbuildings such as a stable flat and a four-bedroom lodge house.
£5.5m / €7.68m / $8.35m
SellMyHome.co.uk +44 (0)203 44 12345
Saddle Stones, St George’s Hill Estate, Weybridge, Surrey
Deservedly in the nation’s Top 10 of most desirable residential locations, St George’s Hill is a private estate created in 1912 by WG Tarrant. This pioneer developer spotted the desire by captains of industry and high profile entertainers to own a country house close to London, particularly if it had some first class facilities close by like a golf course and tennis club, which Tarrant supplied in the centre of the 600-acre estate.
Past legendary residents include Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison and singer Tom Jones. Today more famous owners have taken their place; their privacy assured under the estate’s stringent rules and regulations and with the help of the concierge controlled gated entries.
This lavish property includes an impressive bespoke kitchen/breakfast room, six bedroom suites, a cinema room, staff accommodation, a lift accessing all three floors, and an integral triple garage with car turntable. Its landscaped grounds of approximately one acre include an outdoor heated swimming pool with feature fountains.
£9.5m / €13.3m / $14.4m Octagon +44 (0)20 8481 7500
Cell Park Farm, Markyate, St. Albans, Hertfordshire
Available for sale as a whole with 110 acres or divided into three different lots, Cell Park Farm has an extensive gravel driveway with an elegant veranda and main door leading to a spacious reception hall. This leads to the sitting room, garden room and kitchen.
The kitchen and breakfast/dining area is superb and has been thoughtfully designed with an abundance of hand built painted kitchen units topped with Italian granite. The drawing room includes a splendid bay window overlooking the front gardens and has tall french doors leading to the garden room.
The first floor has a spacious master bedroom with en suite bathroom. In the opposite wing is an attractive guest room also with en suite bathroom with a separate shower. There are an additional three bedrooms on this floor, two of which share a bathroom. There is also a family bathroom.
On the top floor of the house are two further bedrooms. The Granary Cottage located in front of the house is a detached former granary which provides one-bedroom studio style accommodation.
£3.78m / €5.27m / $5.73m for the whole property
Bidwells St Albans Office +44 (0)1727 223900
Byways, Ascot, Berkshire
Byways is a stunning six-bedroom family home, set over three floors, with games room, triple garage and guest suite, perfect for a nanny or au pair. It has a gated entrance and is set within its own beautiful private grounds in the affluent village of Ascot.
The ground floor comprises expansive bespoke Charles Rennie Mackintosh painted in-frame shaker kitchen with composite stone worktops and up stand and fully integrated appliances, family room and orangery, separate drawing room, dining room, library and boot room. The first floor is home to a spacious master bedroom suite with dressing room and en suite bathroom and three further bedrooms, all with en suites. The second floor has a games room and two further bedrooms, both with en suites. The guest suite includes a bedroom, en suite and kitchenette.
£4.25m / €5.94m / $6.45m Bewley Homes +44 (0)845 686 8600
Broomfield House, Windlesham, Surrey
This magnificent family house features a CAT 5 integrated request audio system with speakers in many rooms, an intercom facility throughout, security cameras and a state-of-the-art Rako mood lighting system. Grounds extend to approximately 1.7 acres including a tennis court.
An impressive entrance hall with marbled flooring and chandelier leads to a fabulous kitchen and a further six reception rooms including a study and conservatory. The master bedroom includes en suite and dressing room, four further bedrooms (two en suite) and a further family bathroom.
The recreation area includes a pool and Jacuzzi, a steam room and shower plus separate changing rooms. There is also a custom built bar area with access on to a terrace via 10 metre fully retractable glass doors. The property also includes a detached triple garage block with staff flat above including a private entrance, kitchen, living area, bedroom and bathroom.
£4.35m / €6.1m / $6.6m
Barton Wyatt +44 (0)1344 843000
High Crest House, Marley Heights, Haslemere, Surrey
A seven-bedroom property in the Surrey Hills with the most wonderful views over the Cowdray Estate, Milland Valley and the South Downs. It has 2.79 acres of grounds which include a tennis court and summer house. The property has an impressive reception hall, drawing room, dining room, study, family room, play room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, downstairs cloakrooms, a master bedroom suite, five further suites, staff accommodation above the triple garage and beautiful south facing landscaped gardens.
Offers in excess of £3.95m / €5.2m / $6m
John D Wood +44 (0)1932 864252
Sunningdale, Ascot, Berkshire
The older part of this stunning property leads into a partly wood-panelled snug reception area and on to a study overlooking the rear garden. Across the second hallway is a family breakfast room, while the traditional kitchen overlooks the front of the property. Adjoining the breakfast room is the formal dining area with space for a 12-person dining table.
The space annexing the indoor swimming pool to the main house, known as the water feature room, spreads over two separate levels with a vaulted ceiling. Adjoining the swimming pool is a fully air-conditioned gym, Teppanyaki room and snooker room with bar.
The first of the bedrooms is on the ground floor and there are a further four to five bedrooms on the first floor. Above the first floor reception area is the recently added second floor master suite. The property is in beautifully maintained grounds which include a separate triple-bay car garage, above which is a reception area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
£6.95m / €9.71m / $10.55m
Gordge & Co +44 (0)1730 297023
