New luxury homes in Berkshire opened by Home Secretary sell out in record time

by Viv United Kingdom

A beautiful new development of homes that was opened by Theresa May, Home Secretary and MP for Windsor & Maidenhead earlier this year has sold out in record time. This development from local award-winning builders, Millgate, located in the Berkshire village of Wargrave comprised a private collection of 8 three and four bedroom homes with the first house selling within 24 hours of the Show Home opening.

  • Victoria Mews by Millgate was opened by Home Secretary – Theresa May
  • First luxury family home sells within 24 hours of launch
  • Property prices in Wargrave rise 12.21% in 4 years (Zoopla)

Mrs Julie Deadman was one of the new residents in Victoria Mews moving from Wokingham where she had purchased a smaller newly built town house some years back.  Mrs Deadman described her feelings on purchasing her first Millgate home:

“Having purchased a new build town house before I thought I knew what to expect when looking to upgrade to a large home but I was blown away by the wow factor of Victoria Mews.  The attention to detail when we drove onto the development earlier this year was staggering; every property was completed, flowers and trees planted, the Show Home was dressed and it felt like I was walking into a real home – lived in, warm and cosy.

“Even now we have moved in, the excitement of the new house remains; I honestly get really excited at the thought of ‘going home’ after work. My house is exceptional in terms of quality and standard of finish. I am absolutely delighted and it is literally “my dream house”.”

Mrs Deadman was also enthralled by the customer service experience she received from Millgate,

“The Millgate customer service team are beyond good – they are amazing. They are courteous and efficient and always go out of their way to provide a first class and responsive customer service at all times. Nothing is too much trouble for them.”

Wargrave is peaceful village, off the beaten track and has a charming, tranquil feel to it.  Some delightful gastro pubs line the water’s edge, riverboats bob around on the Thames and when you add in swans, ducks and weeping willows you have yourself a fabulously charming spot.  Unsurprising that, according to Zoopla, property prices have risen over the past 4 years by 12.21%.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate comments,

“Knowing the local area and having developed here before, we were aware of the demand for family housing and were confident that these houses would get snapped up.  We are known for building award-winning country mansions but on this occasion we transferred our expert skills and knowledge of building super homes into this delightful gated estate and it really worked.  Our team enjoyed designing and building Victoria Mews and the clients who purchased have been elated with the homes. For me that is a job well done.

“From start to finish this project has been successful and dare I say it – fun.  We hope to get the opportunity to build more of these types of town houses over the next year but finding the right site is always a challenge.”

For more information about Millgate’s future developments contact the team on 01189 343344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Barton Wyatt’s Jo gets ready to take 192 deserving children on their charity ‘Dreamflight’

by Viv United Kingdom

Jo Parris, the Lettings Manager at award-winning Surrey estate agency, Barton Wyatt is revving up for her trip to America with the charity Dreamflight.

Once a year, 192 deserving sick and disabled children from all over the UK, accompanied by a team of carers, jet off to Florida on a ten day life-changing holiday filled with fun and excitement at the theme parts of Orlando.

 ·         40 Days to lift off – Dreamflight departs on October 20th

The team of carers include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and non-medical escorts such as Jo who are there to help care for the children’s needs 24 hours a day whilst they are away.

Jo attended a meeting on Saturday 7th September 2013 where she received a full briefing for the trip together with the other volunteer escorts.  Paperwork was checked, uniform issued and detailed procedures were explained together with lots of useful advice.

Jo commented:

“This trip will be amazing fun for the children who are lucky enough to be going, but there is a serious side to a Dreamflight holiday.  Many of the children have never been away from home or their parents before and they gain a degree of independence not previously thought possible.  Self esteem grows as they are encouraged to join in the many events and activities.’

Once the formal briefing was over the ‘Pooh Bear’ group, for which Jo is a team member, met the most important people of all – the ‘little Pooh Bears’ and their families. Jo continues,

“The Mums and Dads of these children are rightly more concerned than anyone – it was wonderful to meet them and hopefully allay any of their concerns.”

The Dreamflight escorts are all colour co-ordinated, for example the doctors wear green polo shirts and the Pooh Bear group wear purple. Matching T-shirts for the children have been donated and Jo Parris is thrilled that Barton Wyatt has supported this worthy cause with T-shirts for the Pooh Bear group.

Formed in 1987 the charity is funded by donations and fundraising, There’s more information on the official website at www.dreamflight.org or contact Jo Parris on 01344 843000.

Surrey sees property prices stabilise as domestic buyers return in droves

by Viv United Kingdom

Barton Wyatt, the award-winning estate agency in Surrey, has seen a 33% increase in the number of domestic buyers over the past year. Back in Q2 2012 the percentage of domestic buyers was wallowing at a mere 40% however this figure has dramatically risen a year later to 60% in Q2 2013 reflecting a marked improvement in domestic buying confidence in the UK market.

  •  Leading Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt sees number of domestic buyers rise 33%
  • Increased access to mortgage finance attributed to movement in small – mid market
  • Average sale price for properties on Wentworth Estate at £6.01 million reports agent

James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt and Chairman of NAEA Surrey, comments:
“These figures all point to the change in attitude of the money lenders in the last quarter. Yet again financial institutions are driving the market and the recent decisions which enables UK buyers to borrow money more easily again has positively turned the market. This has aided sales in the small to medium sized end of the market as most of these properties are purchased with mortgages and in turn we have seen a 33% increase in domestic buyers over the past year in north Surrey.

“On the other side of the coin, prime and super prime (£2 – £5 million plus) house purchases are rarely, if ever, made involving funding; we have hardly seen any difference due to the increased availability to finance at this top end of the market. In fact property prices on the exclusive Wentworth Estate continue to soar seemingly unabated with one particular property selling this April for 26% more than it did a year ago without a single thing being done to it!”

James and the team at Barton Wyatt are predicting a very strong Q3 2013 with the number of domestic and overseas continuing to rise steadily and the average sale price for properties on Wentworth currently standing at a whopping £6.01 million.

Indeed this growth in the prime market is echoed by figures from the latest Knight Frank Prime Country House Index, which reported that prices rose 0.4% in Q2 2013, the second consecutive quarter of growth. However Knight Frank did also note that prime property values remain down by 1.2% on an annual basis and are 21% below the market peak in Q3 2007.

Despite the recent positive news regards Surrey house prices, the prevalent feeling in the market is still one of uncertainty and transactions remain slow as buyers consider their options.

James offers this advice for vendors,
“Our advice in today’s market is to maximise the benefits of your house. Drooping perennials on the approach, an unkempt patio and unpleasant smells within have never been an asset to a vendor but now more than ever sellers need to take a good look at their home with a fresh set of buyer’s eyes.

“And once you have done everything you can to maximise buyer appeal, you would be well advised to check the speed of your lawyer; we see all too often house sales fall through due to tardy legal personnel. Ask lots of questions before you employ a lawyer and ring them persistently to ensure they are as keen as you are to push the deal through as quickly.”

For more information on the Surrey property market contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk

80 years on and Orwell’s North/South divide remains very much alive and well

by Viv United Kingdom

In the 1930’s George Orwell, wrote about the chasm that grew between the North and South of England; he noted the indifference which southerners often appeared to express over the fate of those living in northern areas – the places that had become most blighted by economic downturn.

80 years on from Orwell’s observations, research suggests that there remains real hard evidence of a North/South divide. Life expectancy is one year less north of the dividing line, adolescents in the south are much more likely to attend red brick universities than from the north and if you view a political voting map, the line often separates red from blue.

Looking at property prices, which are often thrown into the discussion of a North/South divide, it is a little less clear cut. House pricing differentials are said to create a gap that prevents people from the north venturing south but where realistically is the line and how does it affect where you buy a house?

Town

Average house price in last 3 years*

Population

Distance north of London

Cobham

£857,768

16,724

N/A

Gerrards Cross

£655,402

7,333

27 Miles

Leighton Buzzard

£219,563

11450

33 Miles

Chapeltown

£145,946

11,717

48 Miles

Desborough (close to Kettering)

£148,939

10,697

50 miles

Long Eaton

£127,524

13,632

58 Miles

* Figures taken from Zoopla

The below graph of house prices over the past three years charts a line that heads roughly north from Cobham in Surrey revealing a decline in average house prices until you hit the Leighton Buzzard area where pricing appears to level out suggesting perhaps that the North/South divide might occur somewhere between Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.

Title: House Prices

Gerrards Cross sits just 33 miles south of Leighton Buzzard and yet average house prices are 60% higher cementing this ever popular town’s position firmly in the south. Indeed with commuting distances to London often cited as key house price factors, it’s no wonder that towns and villages such as Gerrards Cross which can speed workers into the Capital in under 35 minutes command such a premium.

Recent research also shows that living close to a top notch High Street can add pounds to your property and if you have a Waitrose nearby then you really are onto a winner as Savills, the real estate services provider compared average house prices in postcodes where Waitrose branches have opened in the past five years to other districts elsewhere in the same county and discovered that prices near a branch of the supermarket were on average 25.3% higher.

Gerrards Cross is blessed with both a bustling High Street and the hallowed Waitrose as well as the wider amenities of Beaconsfield on its doorstep with the BBC’s Declan Curry even going as far as to describe it as “Britain´s richest town”.

Millgate, the luxury house builder recently finished a development of town houses and detached houses just a mile from Gerrards Cross High Street. Alderbourne Place enjoys a perfect blend of seclusion and comfort offering the very best of town and country living, nestled in rolling green-belt countryside. 

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate comments:

“It is with pride that we hear that the show home at our newest development, Alderbourne Place, being referred to as ‘Best in Bucks’.  If I was commuter looking to leave the hustle and bustle of London then Gerrards Cross would be high of my list of places to consider, it is rural yet sophisticated, there are great schools in the area and Buckinghamshire is blessed with still having the grammar system in place which is a huge benefit for some.”  

This fabulous new Millgate development consists of eight impressive country homes and four town houses of unrivalled pedigree in the area with the show home hailed as the ‘Best in Bucks’ by locals and agents in the area.

Priced from £930,000 for a town house and from £2,100,000 for a detached country house, contact the sales team for further information or to arrange a viewing on 0118 934 3344or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk. 

Summer movie screenings in your very own Somerset House

by Viv United Kingdom

“Watching a movie under the stars in Somerset House’s beautiful courtyard on a balmy summer evening is a near-perfect London experience.” TimeOut

 Barton Wyatt, leading Surrey Estate Agent is selling Somerset House – not however the WC2 version but a stunning home affording the same iconic name nestled in the leafy enclaves of Wentworth, North Surrey.

 Impress your friends by inviting them to exclusive film viewings in your very own cinema on the lower ground floor of this incredible four storey house. The superbly equipped cinema adjoins a garden room – with cocktail bar – which opens onto the garden logia.   The cinema in Somerset House comfortably seats 8-10 people on two tiers and has been professionally designed.  With a 3D high definition  5 meter projection screen and a high quality surround sound system you will feel like you are at the flicks.

Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House opens on 8th August with the World Premiere: About Time.  In the open courtyard film fans come armed with picnics, blankets and a passion for film.  London’s best-loved open-air cinema is presented in the magnificent 18th century courtyard on a giant screen with full surround sound, and this year features comedy, romance, musicals, thrillers and much loved classics.

So if you are keen on owning a home that offers a fabulous chance to host blockbuster nights, this house could be your dream home.

The ground floor comprises a vast kitchen / breakfast room and four further receptions plus a utility and access to the triple garage.

The first and second floors are awash with luxury bedrooms and bathrooms – totalling six.  A further annexe sits above the garage for staff or an au-pair.

Somerset House supports the latest multimedia requirements with Sonos sound system, Wi-Fi, hi-definition video distribution together with mood lighting systems and air-conditioning. Security is provided by 2m fences, keypad gate-entry, full alarm system, security lighting and CCTV.

This lovely house is a light and airy, sitting on high ground as the gardens fall away to the rear, with the southerly aspects it is a tremendously bright and inviting home, ideal for the contemporary family lifestyle of today.

Priced at £6,495,000 – For more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Fabulous Farnham: 5 reasons to make the move

Fabulous Farnham: 5 reasons to make the move

by Viv United Kingdom

There is something very appealing about living in a market town and Farnham is no exception.  Traditional yet bustling, this town nestled on the South West corner of Surrey is steeped in history, its narrow streets lined with some of the best Georgian architecture in the South East and there is even a castle dating back to the 12th Century

Already home to 38,000 people, Farnham is fast becoming a much sought after location in which to live with the population rising very gently. Farnham is quite simply fabulous and here are 5 reasons why you should make the move:

       Hotspot for culture vultures

You do not need to be a culture vulture to enjoy being in Farnham but if you have an interest in history, architecture and the arts then you will not be disappointed.  Historians claim that there is evidence that Stone Age Man lived here – but walking around the town you are more likely to be impressed by Anglo Saxon, Norman and Georgian periods – all very visible in the town.

The High Street is packed with antique shops and just outside Farnham sits the much loved Bourne Mill Antiques Centre which offers hours of amusement poking around its creaky ancient interior looking for treasures. 70 + dealers are spread over four floors in this unique building which has rightly been described as an Aladdin’s Cave.

 

And if it is music and theatre culture you are after then Farnham doesn’t disappoint. The Farnham Maltings is synonymous with theatre, craft, music, film and festivals!  After a massive restoration programme 20 years ago, the Maltings provides space for many different activities including artists’ studios, galleries, the Riverside Café and Cellar Bar, Dance Studio and Nursery.

       Market Town kudos

Market towns originated in the medieval period – it was a  settlement that had the right to host village and 

Farnham is located midway between Winchester and London and in 1138, Henry de Blois started building Farnham Castle to provide accommodation for the Bishop of Winchester in his frequent journeying between his cathedral and the capital. The castle´s garrison provided a market for farms and small industries in the town, accelerating its growth so the market town of Farnham was born.

Local estate agency, Strutt & Parker report that 24.7% of buyers relocating from London are heading to the South East of England, looking for a more rural life and only last year the Daily Mail stated that the “average home in a market town costs nearly £23,000 more than the average home in the rest of the county”.  Farnham is highly likely to be a hot spot to aim for.

       Superb schooling

 

From toddlers to degree students and beyond, education provision in Farnham is superb. The town offers a wide range of nurseries, primary and secondary schools, as well as an outstanding further education college and the University for the Creative Arts.

Junior schools include two state schools – William Cobbett and South Farnham or privately Edgeborough School which set in 50 acres of beautiful countryside.  And if you are lucky enough to sit in the catchment area for The Bourne you are likely to land your children a place at the top middle-school in the country.

For senior school many choose the local Weydon School in Farnham – also a specialist science college or Charterhouse and Frensham Heights are extremely popular private choices.

       Easily accessible

Known in some circles for being the start of the North Downs Way which follows the acorn signs from Farnham to the coast at Dover, passing Canterbury on the way, Farnham occupies a premium position.

Sitting just off the A31, sensible town planners designed this by-road to take the heavy traffic well away from the heart of the town maintaining peace and tranquillity whilst ensuring that there are quick access routes out.  Situated just 12 miles from Guildford, 30 miles to the South Coast and affording a direct train line that takes 53 minutes to London Waterloo, Farnham is a fabulous location for those looking for an affordable commuter town.

Farnham is blessed with two golf courses, a sports centre and is packed with great outdoor opportunities. Frensham Ponds are one of the few places in the England where swimming in a lake is actively encouraged and a hot summer’s day will attract a bevy of families and picnics to its shores.  Alice Holt forest is a fun packed day out for all ages – from cycle trails to a sky rainforest trail this is a must and for the more adventurous types the Go Ape heart stopping experience will have you racing down zip wires in the tree tops.

       Affordable

Perched on the Hampshire border, Farnham might be a market town but property pricing is competitive compared to other local towns such as Guildford and Godalming.

According to Zoopla, house prices in Farnham have risen by 4.68% in the last 12 months and by a whopping 15.77% compared to 4 years ago (2009).

On the Market:

 

Wykeham House is a stunning 5 bedroom detached home with generously proportioned accommodation set over three floors.  This imposing country house blends traditional handcrafted refinement with innovative 21st century technology.

www.millgatehomes.co.uk or call the agents Strutt and Parker at the show home on 01252 792265.

Millgate breaks the mould with transformation of Marie Curie Research Institute into cutting edge contemporary home

by Viv United Kingdom

A large plot of land just outside Oxted in Surrey is being sensitively redeveloped by award-winning developer Millgate. The nineacre site has an interesting background starting life as The Passmore Edwards Convalescents Home, connected to the Charing Cross Hospital.  The house was built by Mr J Passmore Edwards and opened in 1896 by King Edward VII when he was the Prince of Wales.

  •  Ultra-modern Trevereux development located on former Marie Currie Research site
  • Positioned within Surrey’s High Weald – an area of outstanding beauty
  • Millgate’s Chief Architect explains his vision for this cutting edge contemporary home

The grade II listed property later became a Marie Currie Research Institute, pioneering revolutionary cancer treatments until its closure in 2010. The site was subsequently purchased by Millgate who have been granted planning permission to transform the property into a boutique residential development.

Respecting the character and history of the property, Millgate will be retaining the derelict building’s façade as well as extending to the rear in order to create six luxury apartments. A further three detached homes are being developed on this spacious site, creating fabulous new homes in the area.

In addition to the prestige of the site, Trevereux is also a milestone project for Millgate as this will be the first time in the developer’s 25 year history that they have deviated from their classic design style and chosen to include a contemporary modern home on the site.

Trevereux in Oxted, Surrey will become Millgate’s first ever mixed vernacular development due to be completed by Spring 2014. Greg Meier, Chief Architect at Millgate for over 13 years, is leading the team on this project and explains his vision for this cutting edge contemporary family home:

“As a company we were keen to experiment in this different line of architectural design. It gives an interesting concept of blending traditional house designs with contemporary design on one site.”

Indeed Millgate’s ethos is about creating homes that will evoke emotion, desire and connection – even before you have stepped over the threshold.  Millgate Chairman Graeme Simpson remarked:

“Over the years, I’ve surrounded myself with people who share my obsession, who constantly challenge the ordinary, who are driven by perfection. Our passion and expertise is what guarantees our homes and demonstrates the very best in British house building.

“This desire to continually push their own boundaries is why they have designed a modern home for a family who are looking for a dynamic style of house – not just the norm.”

Greg Meier goes onto explain:

“Making a simple design look interesting and impressive has been part of our challenge. We have incorporated a more contemporary feel into the internal and external specification and finishes.  My favourite feature is the clean, crisp lines of the building, created by the contrast in colour between the light render and darker grey windows and deep overhanging soffit and fascias.

“For a really big wow factor we have designed the entrance hall with a double height internal space which includes a two storey high glazed window. The open plan ground floor living area with large glazed external sliding doors opens up the superb far reaching views across towards the South Downs.”

The development sits just outside Oxted in an area known better as Limpsfield Chart which boasts a charming pub and an ancient church, yet this is a quiet peaceful area is less than a 5 minute drive to the high speed rail link at Oxted which races into London Bridge in at little as 29 minutes.  The site also butts up to the Greensand Way – a 108 mile path meandering through Surrey and Kent.

Trevereux is located within a designated area of ‘Outstanding Natural Beauty’ on the ridge of the Kent-Surrey border known as High Weald.  The beauty of this area contrasting with the bold lines and contemporary feel of this house new house will be unusual for the area and is certainly a house that will attract much attention.

Guide price for the contemporary house is £4,000,000.  For more information on the launch of this fabulous development contact Millgate on 01189 343 344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

18th century Virginia Water landscape returns home to roost

by Viv United Kingdom

A fabulous landscape of Virginia Water by well-known painter George Arnald, ARA, (1763-1841) recently discovered in America has now been returned to its Surrey home.

 

Proudly being displayed by local resident and business owner, James Wyatt in the offices of estate agency Barton Wyatt, the painting has completed its Trans-Atlantic journey from Chester, New York to the heart of Virginia Water.

 

The 18th century landscape was discovered by Gregory Page-Turner, a fine art dealer specialising in early British portraits and topographical landscapes.  Mr Page-Turner unearthed the painting in a catalogue which referred to it as “An English river landscape“.

 

Page-Turner was taken by the landscape and in particular the lake with the elegant party in the foreground. On receiving more detailed photographs he was able to discover the identity of the painter and the subject of the landscape from a plaque attached to the frame.  Mr Page-Turner was keen to secure the painting at auction with a view to returning it to its home town.

 

On arrival in the UK the authenticity of the painting, which features buildings not factual in Virginia Water, came under scrutiny but local historian and Guards Polo Club archivist, Graham Dennis said:

 

“I believe the painting is a Capriccio* landscape of Virginia Water with the additional buildings simply artistic licence.”

 

Now hanging in the offices of Barton Wyatt, any residents or interested collectors are invited to view it. It is hoped that the painting will find a buyer based in Virginia Water, keen to have the important topographical painting added to their collection.

 

The painting is expected to fetch in the region of £15,000 and for more information contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or email jw@bartonwyatt.co.uk.

 

* In painting, a capriccio in older English works often anglicized as “caprice”, means an architectural fantasy 

Lady of Kent Emily McGowan takes 12,500 ft leap of faith in memory of Grandmother Irene

by Viv United Kingdom

Brave Emily McGowan took a leap of faith on Sunday 7th July by sky diving over her home country of Kent in order to raise money and awareness for Sue Ryder Care.

 

Emily, a highly respected member of the house building team at Millgate who donated generously towards her heroic jump, sadly lost her beloved Grandmother, Irene Russell, to cancer. The kindness and care that Irene was given in her last few weeks by Sue Ryder Care inspired Emily to give something back.  She said:

 

“It was the support of Sue Ryder Care that ensured my Grandmother’s last days were happy and comfortable and I wanted to show them my appreciation for their dedicated work so on Sunday 7th July I faced my fears and took part in a charity tandem skydive at Headcorn Skydive Centre in Maidstone.
“I was really lucky that the weather was warm and the sky so incredibly clear that the views from 12,500 feet up were absolutely spectacular. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I loved every moment of it.  I wasn’t even nervous when I was sat perched on the edge of the plane, ready to freefall! I was in the air for about 20 minutes after freefalling for what felt like eternity but was actually only 45 seconds however I was happy when the ground came closer and I landed on my feet albeit with a little wobble!”
Emily has so far raised £655 with a generous donation made from Millgate.
If you would like to support Emily and Sue Ryder Care a donation can be made at www.bmycharity.com/EmilyMcGowanSkyDive
For more details call Emily McGowan at Millgate on 01189 343 344.

Get on your bike and retire en route the Tour de France as it celebrates its 100th year

by Viv France

The 100th Tour de France started this weekend and regions throughout France are putting the final touches to their picturesque towns and villages to welcome not just the international cycling stars but tourists from across the globe. 

 
Although the Tour de France may not be a relaxing vacation for participants, it is the world´s biggest and best tourism promotion bringing prestige to to the areas it passes through, boosting hotel occupancy and the revenue of bars and restaurants.
 
 
Danny Silver, founding partner of The Villages Group, an active living villages for the over 50s nestled in the heart of the Languedoc region, which plays host to three stages of the 100th Tour de France on the 4th , 5th  and 6th  of July comments,
 
 
“The economic impact of the Tour de France must not be underestimated. Each year it delivers a major boost to the economy of Languedoc and its towns and villages and just looking back at the London’s 2012 Olympics, the massive appetite for major sporting occasions is clearly evident.
 
 
“The 100th Tour de France is a great opportunity to remind the world just what the nation has to offer. As the cyclists wizz through Languedoc-Roussillon, you will be sure to see many things that define the region and why exactly we chose to build Le Village-Canal du Midi in this picture perfect location. The vineyards, olive trees, the Canal du Midi, the brightly painted doors and shutters not forgetting the rich culinary tradition, the wine, the peace and quiet and the dramatic scenery are just a few of the benefits of retiring to the Languedoc. Our rural life couldn’t be more different than living in Paris!” 
 
 
Indeed, if you are a keen cyclist and are thinking of retiring abroad our neighbour across the Channel may be a good option.
 
 
The Languedoc is a region of diverse and beautiful landscapes. From the Mediterranean coastal plains, the rolling hills that are home to the largest wine producing area of France rise steeply upwards to the start of the Cevennes mountains, creating one of France´s best kept cycling secrets. Miles of unspoilt countryside and cycle tracks means that families, couples and friends can all enjoy hopping on their bikes and soaking up the French atmosphere. 
 
 
Le Village-Canal du Midi epitomises the new style of active retirement that has become so in demand. Run by The Villages Group, which specialises in providing active living communities for those aged 50+, the resort offers luxurious, one-level houses from £200,000 set in the idyllic French countryside.
 
 
The wide range of activities on offer includes tennis, archery, aerobics, equestrian events, sailing, boating and swimming in the village’s outdoor and indoor pools. Owners will also be able to enjoy special membership to the stunning nearby golf course and free bicycle hire for those willing to give Wiggins a run for his money. The development even boasts access to four ski resorts, all within a 55 mile radius.  
 
 
For more information on a unique lifestyle choice for the active over 50´s please contact The Villages Group on + 33 1 4007, email info@thevillagesgroup.com or visit www.thevillagesgroup.com .