Buying and selling the very best prime country homes is not for the faint-hearted.  Luxury homes cannot be treated in the same way that your average UK house is bought and sold and that is the exact reason that specialist prime agencies and professional property buyers exist in the UK.

They have become experts in their field and are used to handling the complications that come with often awkward and tricky transactions as millions of pounds exchanges hands with a rather small amount being awarded to the agent who has quite probably had to jump through many hoops to keep all parties happy.

One agency who are experts at brokering deals for multi-millionaires and billionaires is Barton Wyatt in Virginia Water, Surrey.  The team here are highly trained to deliver a consistently flawless service without gasping if a King or Earl drops in to chat. Forty nine years in the same office has definitely had its advantages.

Sports personalities, leading actors and actresses, Royals from around the globe, TV stars and pop stars are all known to frequent the discrete offices in Virginia Water in their quest to find the perfect home to rent or buy.

Diplomacy is a key attribute for the sales and rental teams at Barton Wyatt and it is not uncommon that many of their clients wish to remain totally anonymous.  Recently there has been a high number of foreign buyers who are also keen to retain their privacy.  Not hiding from the paparazzi but just desiring a very quiet life in the leafy lanes that make up Virginia Water and Wentworth.

James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt, the award winning Surrey estate agent, explains:

“With so much discretion required these days by both vendors and purchasers we often find that houses get sold without the regular paraphernalia of marketing and display advertising that used to be required to make a sale.  A very discreet vendor and a discreet purchaser put together – often through a buying agent means that the house might only be seen by one or two buyers before a deal is done and settled.  That makes it sound very easy – but it rarely is.  These deals can take months of work but our local knowledge and contacts are paramount to our clients at this level.”

The exchange of properties ‘off-market’ has becoming increasingly familiar.  It is being driven by a deficiency in fresh stock and desire for anonymity that comes from extreme wealth.

For an estate agent, knowing your patch and your client base is key to being involved in any quiet housing market and those agents from outside the area struggle to know what is going on. Agents that live and breathe the local area are going to hear about something on the grapevine way before anyone else.

Wyatt continues:

“We do not actively encourage this “quiet housing market” – but it certainly has a place in today’s luxury property world, particularly when you are dealing at the very top end.  With this in mind it is important to our buyers and vendors that we are ahead of the game and can ensure that the playing field is relatively even.

“Much of our business commences out of the office – meaning on the golf course, at local business networking events and lately, standing on the side-lines of the pitch at my children’s schools.  This informal setting seems to get people chatting and before I know it I’m working whilst watching an 800 metre race, a tennis match or a goal!  Property salesman that do not live and breathe the local area really don’t stand much of a chance.”

Occasionally a decision to keep a property off-market is taken by a vendor on the advice of their agent. For instance if someone is hoping to sell their house and talks to an agent in early December, the agent might suggest that they go down the off-market route first providing they have obtained the necessary documentation and agreed terms with the agent. If no buyer emerges by the end of January then it could be a better time to put the house on the market for all to see.

Off-market sales had previously been considered to be limited to the finest parts of London but this is a rapidly growing trend in prime Surrey stock.  Barton Wyatt completed a significant proportion of their sales off-market in 2013 and expect this trend to continue.

James Wyatt reveals his thoughts for the rest of 2014:

“We anticipate house price increases and a greater number of sales for 2014 – in fact all the indicators point to positive news.  My money is on an increase in the region of 10% for Surrey over the next 12 months – the general public are swerving away from over-heated London and confidence is rising rapidly in the Home Counties once again.  The Bank of England’s ability to control the base rate and keep it, and therefore mortgage rates, low – is helping this positive momentum.”

For advice or a private conversation about on or off-market Surrey sales, talk to James or Rupert Wyatt at Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit their website on www.bartonwyatt.co.uk

60 Seconds with…  James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt an award-winning estate agency selling to the rich and famous on the Wentworth Estate in Surrey.

What does it say on your business card?

It says James Wyatt – Partner.  But to be honest I rarely use business cards these days – they are a bit old hat.  More likely to connect on LinkedIn or have a tweet chat!

Barton Wyatt is a family business – when did you first get involved?

Well when I was born we lived in a flat above the office where it is now, so it would be fair to say I have lived and breathed Barton Wyatt since infancy.  By the time I was 10 I was used to helping with envelope stuffing or good old fashioned leaflet delivery.  On leaving school I was ready to embark on a full time position – which I did in another agency in Weybridge and then in London.  My father felt it only correct that I earned my stripes elsewhere before returning to the family business.  So officially I started at 21 – 27 years ago!

What makes Barton Wyatt different from other local Agencies?

I am glad to say there are no poor agencies in the local area and we all generally enjoy a great working relationship.  We have to as we often work together as joint agents for house sales.  However I do believe we are different – we are not a large corporate and demands are not being made of us by share-holders in the City.  This means we can be adaptable to create the best possible environment for our clients and our staff.

We are all very passionate about what we do here and will often go the extra mile to be the best.  I guess that is one of the reasons we have won so many awards.  Our customers certainly do return time and time again.  I have sold some people in the area half a dozen houses as they have upsized, side stepped and now downsized over the years.

How do Wentworth and Virginia Water differ from other local villages?

There are lots of lovely villages in the local area but Wentworth really is a bit special.  As soon as you turn into any of the private Estate roads you do feel that you are entering a slightly more exotic land.  The lanes are extremely leafy and the houses are set far back from the road.  You can really only glimpse the odd balustrade or column as you pass past often very lavish gates.  People here are terribly private – they don’t want passers-by gazing into their lives and many go to extreme lengths to remain hidden.

On the flip side when you are at Wentworth Golf Club it is wonderfully sociable.  There are kid’s events, golf tournaments, tennis tournaments, annual balls, charity events galore and all sorts to get involved in so there is no need to be lonely if you live on Wentworth.

What has attracted so much wealth to Wentworth?

There is no denying it, Wentworth is classy and this air of glamour and sophistication is the thing that lures the rich and famous to buy a ring side seat on these illustrious courses.  The central part of the Wentworth Estate is known to the locals as ‘The Island’. This just adds to the feeling of exclusivity that seems to pervade the whole area. And with a long list of rich and famous on your doorstep it would be hard not to be impressed.

What is the best bit of your job?

No day is the same. I could be discussing an investment with a local, then letting a house to an American, followed by a meeting with a foreign Royal, then with a famous Film Director to deal with. It can be great fun.

Describe a typical Wentworth resident?

I would say typically savvy and confident.  Most residents are at the top of their trade, captains of industry and, very often, business owners.  A large percentage of the estate is multi-national – the list is endless as tides shift on international business.  Currently there are many Middle Eastern families, Malay, Russian, US and Kazaks.  Many of these families are renting, so every three years the make-up of parts of Wentworth changes as the corporate mood alters.

What does 2014 hold for Barton Wyatt?

Judging by current activity it is going to be ferociously busy.  We have had a very sedentary period in sales – really ever since stamp duty was massively increased.  Lettings continued to thrive but sales were horribly quiet.  The London ripple affect at last appears to be nudging at our doors and, within a matter of a few weeks, things have become incredibly hectic.  I would suggest that if this level of interest and activity continues then Wentworth should be set to see a 10% growth in property prices for 2014.

• The ‘Postcode’ celebrates its 40^th birthday
• There are now 1.8 million postcodes in the UK covering 29 million addresses
• New homes on Wentworth in GU25 have jumped from 2,000 to 7,000 sq ft in 40 years

It’s been 40 years since postcodes were rolled-out across the UK to make letter sorting easier.  Originally trialled in Norwich, 1974 saw this revolutionary new method of speedily identifying addresses being used throughout the rest of the UK. Often taken for granted, the simple postcode has transformed the way that sorting offices quickly organise mail to speed up the delivery to the end user. There are now 1.8 million postcodes covering 29 million addresses across the country.

Indeed the humble postcode has become an automatic way in which we identify ourselves and get around.  With two thirds of the country finding it easier to navigate with a sat nav, the old fashioned map is becoming a thing of the past.  Just key in the postcode and off you go! Hard to believe that 40 years ago this wonderful system did not exist.

Indeed one of the many sectors highly affected by the creation of the postcode is estate agency.

James Wyatt, partner of leading Surrey Estate Agent, Barton Wyatt comments:

“I was only a lad when the postcode was introduced but I was still actively involved in the family business.  My brother Rupert and I were often tasked with delivering leaflets door to door extolling the virtues of selling your house through Barton Wyatt so I felt like a postman sometimes! It might sound jolly but door-to-door delivery is not fun in Virginia Water and the Wentworth Estate. The plots are big and the drives seem endless when you are just 11 years old.”

Another sector that has relied on the postcode is demographic classification. Used in the UK to describe, measure and classify people of different social grade, income and earnings levels this data is essential for market research, social commentary, statistical research and analysis.

“Wentworth, Virginia Water and surrounding villages are all A1 classified,” mulls James, “We are very fortunate to live in such an affluent area.  And it was like this 40 years ago when the postcode was invented – as it will be in another 40.  But things have not stood still – a lot changes in housing in 40 years!”

Forty years ago a new house sitting on half an acre in Wentworth would have had an internal size of 2,000 square feet and the house would have gone on the market at about £55,000.  This would have been a large house by UK standards then.  Today a new house on Wentworth will be around 7,000 square feet and will cost a buyer £4,000,000.

And if you are wondering about flats – the sizes have not altered greatly but the cost has.  In 1974 you would expect to pay £10,000 for a 2 bedroom flat – today you could pay between £250,000 and £400,000.

The ‘must have’ gadget in the kitchen if you were flashy in 1974 was a dishwasher; incredibly this white good is the same price today as it was then.  A cheaper toy, but all the rage in the middle classes, was a Sodastream, with its violent coloured concentrates and endless flow of sparkling beverages.  The “Get busy with the fizzy” tagline has been re-launched recently as Sodastream attempts a return to its original fame.

Back in the 70’s houses were all being refitted with shag pile carpets and chocolate bathroom suites sporting gold taps.  In the garden, you were considered dead trendy if you had a ride on mower and slightly vulgar if you had a swimming pool.  Today it’s cool to have a gardener and a bit retro to have a hot-tub.

On the driveway you had made it if you had a Reliant Scimitar in Mexico brown with a vinyl roof and if you were really flashy, a webasto sunroof.  The ladies would have liked to be seen in a Dolomite Sprint, a bit of a GTI in its day, the most popular colour in 1974 being deep purple.  Today it’s a 4×4 all the way with the odd drop head Mercedes for sunny days and a VW Golf for the nanny.

James mulls over some differences in the workplace too,

“Selling houses was considerably less electronic. Your estate agent would measure up your house with a tape measure, he or she would count the power points, take note of the dado rail and get excited by the number of aspects. A photo and typed up details would be carefully placed in the agent’s window and an advert would appear in the local paper… and then we would wait for the perfect buyer.

“Like most businesses, all estate agents would close for lunch, and very few would open on a Saturday – and if they did then certainly not for long.  It was fun working in an estate agency then and still today.  Much has progressed but actually people still buy from people and that will never change. Our clients return time and time again, they pop in for a chin wag and they are the life blood of our business.  I was addicted then and I still am!”

For more details on luxurious property on Wentworth give the team a call on 01344 84300 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

2014 is a landmark year for the PGA European Golf Tour as it celebrates its 60th year. The Championship was first played back in 1955, coming to the prestigious West Course at Wentworth in Surrey in 1984 and where it has been played exclusively ever since.

· PGA European Tour celebrates its 60th year of first class golf
· 20th – 25th May at the glorious Wentworth Club, in Surrey
· Barton Wyatt say property for all pockets as 2 bed flats priced from £250,000

This first class golfing tournament initially only attracted British golfers however in the 1970’s it began to entice players from all over Europe and quickly escalated into one the top international golf events on the European Tour Calendar.

60 years ago Englishman Ken Bousfield picked up the title of first ever champion, finishing 17 under par and taking home £400 in prize money. Compare that to last year’s winner, 2013 champion Matteo Manassero who scooped a staggering €791,660 and it’s clear to see how this event has grown.

The BMW PGA Championship is six days of high quality entertainment which includes the Official Practice Day, Celebrity Pro-Am, and four rounds of compelling competition from 20th to 25th May.

This year an impressive list of 50 celebrities are already confirmed to take part in the Celebrity Pro-Am including Chris Evans; Olympic medallists Eve Muirhead, Sir Steven Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent; footballers David Ginola, Peter Schmeichel and Jamie Redknapp and rugby stars Chris Robshaw, Ben Foden and Mike Tindall.

For the residents of the exclusive Wentworth Estate this is a week in their lives when everything slows to almost a halt. Getting about on the main island becomes tricky as the roads are full of golf lovers all anxious to wander on the fairways of England’s finest golf course and watch the pros at the top of their game.

Wentworth resident and local business owner James Wyatt has lived in the area most of his life and tells us of the thrills of the PGA week:

“I live on Wentworth and work in Virginia Water so life is not too stressful for me during PGA week. In fact I love the buzz of it. It turns our sleepy village into the centre of the universe for a few days. There are limos, TV crews, dozens of celebs and huge amounts of fun and frivolity, not to mention champagne and strawberries!”
James Wyatt runs the award winning Estate Agency, Barton Wyatt with his brother Rupert. They became the third generation of Wyatts in 1998, the agency and indeed the village has gone from strength to strength over the years.

In June 2013 the Telegraph reported that Virginia Water, famed as the home of Bruce Forsyth and Wentworth golf club, was crowned the most expensive village in the country in a survey that revealed a huge jump in the number of property millionaires across Britain. The Telegraph further stated that “Average values in Virginia Water have climbed 6pc in the past year and in one street, Portnall Rise, homes average £4.3m.”
James Wyatt is more reticent about prices in the area, saying:

“Virginia Water and Wentworth are often painted as the most unbelievably expensive place to live outside London, but we really do cater for all pockets with two bedroom flats for £250,000, detached houses for £600,000. But I am also very happy to sell anyone a new house for £30m!!”

For more information about James Wyatt and his award winning agency, Barton Wyatt, please call 01344 843 000, visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk or follow James on Twitter for the latest news.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently analysed the effects of commuting on people in the UK* as part of a National Well-being programme.  Unsurprisingly, the longer a journey is to work, coupled with complications, creates poor well-being in workers.

• Commuting for 61 – 90 minutes has the worst effect on well-being (ONS)
• Working from home results in 13.5% increased output vs remaining in the office (Harvard)
• Homes without an internet connection or slow download speeds worth up to 20% less

James Wyatt, Partner of leading luxury estate agent, Barton Wyatt in Surrey comments:

“It is imperative today that we as agents are knowledgeable about broadband speeds and which providers offer the best solutions here in Surrey. Since I live in the neighbourhood, as do many of my staff, we are able to offer sound, first-hand advice to our prospective clients and they certainly do ask!

“Almost every home buyer and tenant in the country these days requires broadband, however our clients are often running large international businesses.  They will be working all times of night and day and having a peaceful area to work in with all the necessary equipment is essential.  As an example it is a necessity these days to have a minimum of six electrical sockets in the study.  New homes builders have got wise to this and are usually extremely generous with the amount of wiring that is built in.”

This trend of working from home is further echoed by ONS statistics which reveal that in the Surrey borough of Waverley the number of people working from home has risen from 12% in 2001 to just over 17% in 2011.  Local councillors say head hunters and marketing executives are choosing to set up their own businesses in their homes and that having the space for a desk and a laptop is as imperative for a working person as it is perhaps for a GCSE student.

Building homes for the 21^st century, Millgate the Berkshire-based, award winning luxury home developer, are experts in understanding what is required for home working and install IT networks throughout to ensure that their buyers can move in and get connected with ease.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director of Millgate comments,
“As a matter of course we pre-install a very comprehensive supply of not only telephone and television points strategically throughout our homes but also hidden Cat5e wiring.  Cat5e wiring is the very latest thing to bring homes the latest technology, you can plug in PC’s, Sonos, Wi-Fi, Sky TV, printers, all the Apple products, mobile phone boosters and PBX phones.  Having all this wiring pre-installed and in copious amounts ensures that unsightly wiring is not draped all over your beautiful, brand new home.
“Creating a solution for good home working is a very important and popular with our clients; we tend to select a room on the ground floor to be used as a home office but of course in reality it is up to the owner where they situate themselves. Fabulous home offices are often created over the double or triple garages for example as they have bathrooms and small kitchens within them so are ideal for home working.”

The analysis revealed that, “The worst effects of commuting on personal well-being were associated with journey times lasting between 61 and 90 minutes. On average, all four aspects of personal well-being were negatively affected by commutes of this duration when compared to those travelling only 15 minutes or less to work.” The four aspects which were investigated in this study were life satisfaction, worthwhile, happy yesterday and anxious yesterday.

In the quest for a better work-life balance, more and more people today are striving to spend greater amounts of time working from home but often employers are concerned that staff working from home will not give the same level of commitment and their output will suffer.

However Harvard University recently completed a study on working from home vs working in the office. Students studied a call centre over a period of 9 months with half the workforce at home during the day whilst the other half commuted to the office. The most incredible result was that the home workers completed 13.5% more calls than the staff in the office—meaning that the business got almost an extra workday per week.

And, as reported in the Guardian only last week, fast a broadband connection is now considered vital by increasing numbers of homebuyers. In the article Property Expert, Henry Pryor said that houses without a connection or slow download speeds can be worth up to 20% less.

For a selection of homes which would be perfect for home working and reducing the commuting hell:

Waterford House, Wentworth Estate £4,250,000
Waterford House was built in 2005 for the current owners, a house of considerable charm and character and individuality. No expense was spared in the construction of the house using the finest materials and construction methods. Of particular note is the amount of technology within the house with Crestron and Lutron systems controlling the audio visual, curtains, blinds and even the running of the bath via IPhone technology. Throughout the house there is a feel of sophisticated luxury with attention to detail and design.

Five bedrooms, five bathrooms, five reception rooms, cinema room, games room, three car garage with studio annexe over with shower room and kitchenette, beautifully landscaped gardens.

For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk Ashworth House, Holland Place, Sunninghill £4,250,000

A six bedroom residence located in the heart of the Home Counties just 2 miles from Ascot racecourse.
The property offers exceptional accommodation, arranged over three storeys, boasting a magnificent central galleried staircase with spectacular chandelier, three large reception rooms ideal for entertaining, while the kitchen/family room with an orangery opening out into the garden is the informal heart of the home. Upstairs there are en-suite bathrooms to all six of the bedrooms plus a bonus bedroom/games room. Staff can also easily be accommodated within the annexe which is found over the triple garage.

For more details on this opulent private development contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or Hamptons International on 01372 469279 or alternatively visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk Harringbrook, Trevereux Hill, Oxted £3,500,000

A stunning 5/6 bedroom detached house with a magnificent open plan kitchen living dining room, separate drawing room, study, cinema, triple garage with accommodation over and an outdoor infinity swimming pool. The property is fully equipped for the ideal modern lifestyle.

For more details on this incredible new development please contact Millgate on 01189 348085 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

4 Virginia Drive, Virginia Water £2,450,000
The accommodation is set over two floors. The ground floor reception rooms are mainly open plan with the garden being drawn to the house by the large windows which are all fitted with electric blinds for shading and security. Further ground floor rooms include a beautiful guest bedroom suite and a separate study. On the first floor there is a very large landing area which doubles as a library/TV lounge and a gallery overlooking the dining area. The three first floor bedrooms all have large windows with vaulted ceilings.

For more details contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk
*The report is based largely on data from the Annual Population Survey (APS), carried out by the ONS from April 2012 to March 2013

Having a roof over your head and living in satisfactory housing conditions is one of the most important aspects of people’s lives according to OECD’s Better Life Index. This report intelligently plots living conditions and wealth to find the very ‘best’ places to live worldwide.

• UK ranks top 10 country according to OECD’s Better Life Index
• Global recruitment specialist, Hydrogen, names the UK #2 global destination for professionals
• Barton Wyatt in Virginia Water lets properties to over 15 nationalities

The United Kingdom sits very comfortably in 10th position out of the 36 countries that are compared ranking well above average on jobs, earnings and housing but below average on education, skills and equality. Yet these areas with room for improvement do not appear to deter hundreds of thousands from wanting to come and live in England’s green and pleasant land as is proven by the net migration figures which, according to the Office for National Statistics, reveal that some 503,000 people came to live in the UK in the year ending June 2013.

There are indeed many appealing reasons for living in the UK and if the OECD’s Better Life Index is to be whole-heartedly believed then it is perhaps not our education or equality that is the pull.

According to global recruitment specialist Hydrogen, in their “The Global Professionals on the Move 2013” report, the UK ranks second only to the USA as the global destination for professionals to work due to its new technology hub status.

James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt, the multi award-winning estate agency in North Surrey, is in a prime position to comment on high net worth individuals seeking out the best destinations for their families to live. With two highly acclaimed international schools on the doorstep and a plethora of very well-to-do English public schools to choose from close by, he is literally inundated with clients from overseas keen to live in the area. Wyatt comments:

“Currently our rental stock is let to 73% overseas clients. There are a multitude of different nationalities from Chinese to Kazakhstanis, Americans to Indians, Dutch to Canadians. The South East is littered with global blue-chip companies that are attracting business people from overseas to the area. Indeed in the past 6 months we have found homes for professionals working in Shell HSBC Pepsico and Oracle.

“A great many of our clients have children and they are very excited to be giving their families a taste of British life although many do choose to use our international schools over the local schools for education to ensure that if / when they relocate again they can continue their International Baccalaureate curriculum.”

Whether you are a UK resident or international traveller then the Virginia Water area makes eminently good sense as a location to live. Its green leafy lanes and peaceful woods make the locality a star spot for raising children with Virginia Water Lake in the Royal Park providing endless entertainment in the summer. Local residents are blessed with one of the best sporting line ups on their doorsteps with the annual PGA golf championship, World class polo, Henley rowing regatta and Ascot all close by. With its easy access to London and international hub, Heathrow just a few miles down the road there really could not be a better spot to live.

If you would like to talk to Barton Wyatt about relocating to the Virginia water area please call +44 1344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk. 

Both the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail have features in the last week about the property market in Virginia Water in Surrey.

The Telegraph identified “London´s super suburbs: the most valuable property markets” whilst the Mail cried out “Millionaire´s row spreads out of London as average cost of homes hits £1million in more than 40 areas”.

Virginia Water is well known locally for its leafy lanes hiding palatial mansions but this recent national press interest could spell good news for vendors in the area as more buyers from London are made aware of the green and pleasant lands of North Surrey.

Indeed many prime London property owners have made a packet on property in the past few years and are looking for new areas to live whilst still wishing to invest their money wisely.

Rupert Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt, the leading estate agency in Virginia Water comments on the headline news:

“It is of no surprise that Virginia Water has been identified as a Super Suburb; we have been saying this for a long time. Some of our buyers own several homes, a London pad, a ski chalet and somewhere in the sun but Virginia Water is where they come to actually live rather than float in and out of.

“With a choice of high quality international schools, a raft of top level sports facilities and speedy links to Heathrow, Gatwick and central London, Virginia Water ticks all the boxes for busy international business men and women. We are predicting steady rises in property prices over the next few years – we see no reason why gains such as 15-20% are not achievable and potentially these could be reached in the next couple of ears.”

So, which one of these five Virginia Water properties would you most like to own?

Trumps Mill Cottage is the oldest house in Virginia Water with parts dating back to 1483. It is set in informal gardens, with a wonderful mill pond. The remainder of its 14 acre grounds consists of magnificent woodland, with mature trees and carpets of bluebells

This unique former Mill is now converted into a spacious family home and retains many original character features.  It has been thoughtfully updated by the existing owners with modern kitchen and bathrooms throughout.

The property features a master bedroom suite with dressing room and luxury en-suite bathroom, guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom, two further bedrooms, family bathroom, WC, drawing room, dining room, family room, kitchen/breakfast room, entrance hall, utility/cloakroom, cellar and workshops.Priced at £1,950,000

Whickham is a recently completed, brand new classically styled and luxuriously appointed family home, ready for immediate occupation and fully furnished.  The house sits on a south facing corner plot on the exclusive Wentworth Estate.

The property has a superb layout ideally suited to the contemporary family lifestyle. The hub of the house is a stunning kitchen with state of the art appliances. On the first floor is a very generous master bedroom suite and encompassing a dressing room, large bathroom and sitting room area. Over the double garage is a well-equipped staff/au-pair suite with its own entrance and staircase to be self-contained if desired.

On the second floor, there is the fifth bedroom and bathroom as well as an adaptable games room which of course could also be a sixth bedroom. The property has been fully furnished by award winning interior designers, Alexander James, and is ready for immediate occupation for a superb lifestyle. Priced at £4,250,000

4 Virginia Drive was built in 2006 for the current owners by Huf Haus, the German construction company renowned for their build quality and precise engineering. The property has been immaculately maintained and is now presented for sale in beautiful condition throughout. The home offers a unique experience with a tremendous feeling of space and light, large windows being the theme throughout the house.

The accommodation is set over two floors. The ground floor reception rooms are mainly open plan with the garden being drawn to the house by the large windows which are all fitted with electric blinds for shading and security. Further ground floor rooms include a beautiful guest bedroom suite and a separate study/play room. On the first floor there is a very large landing area which doubles as a library/TV lounge and a gallery overlooking the dining area. The three first floor bedrooms all have large windows with vaulted ceilings. Priced at £2,450.000

Abbots Warren is a house ripe for someone who wants to put their mark on it.  It is in good order but would benefit from some changes.

The property currently has 4/5 receptions and a large kitchen/breakfast room.  The master bedroom suite has a wonderful balcony overlooking the gardens and pool, a guest bedroom suite also has a balcony.  Three further bedrooms and a family bathroom complete the first floor.  A triple garage with office/annexe over is ideal for a home office or staff.

The south facing rear garden has a large sun terrace, swimming pool and covered BBQ area and is a really lovely feature of the home. Priced at £2,750,000

Four Winds is a stunning brand new executive home, constructed to the highest standard of finish and specification throughout close to the Village and local schools.

The house has a contemporary design with luxury features such as an Italian bespoke kitchen, under floor heating, quality double glazing and a built-in sound system etc.

The property has 3,300 square feet of accommodation and includes a magnificent kitchen/breakfast room which is open plan to a conservatory overlooking the lawned rear garden. The first includes floor four double bedrooms and three bathrooms. On the top floor there is a further bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom.

The house is approached over a block paved driveway with electric wrought iron gates on brick piers. There is ample parking for a number of vehicles and there are side accesses to the rear garden which is fenced and lawned and has a lovely westerly aspect to catch the evening sun, ideal for BBQ´s or alfresco dining!  Priced at  £1,395,000

For more information on any of these properties contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visitwww.bartonwyatt.co.uk

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park in Orlando, Florida is the stuff that dreams are made of. And for 192 children from the UK, this was where their dreams came true thanks to the Dreamflight charity and amazing support from people who just wanted to give something back.

Dreamflight is a registered charity whose purpose is to take deserving children on the holiday of their dreams to America’s capital of fun – Orlando!  The children are chosen from all over the UK and are either currently, or have been, seriously ill. Dreamflight is not just a holiday for them, these children get to realise that they are not alone with their illness and not the odd one out.  With a new independence gained from being away from their family, they see other children who have suffered, they gain perspective and strength and with the help of the team of volunteers experience things that they never thought possible.

The children on each trip are accompanied by a group of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and non medical escorts who make the journey possible by giving their time and energy to the charity, and it is not just for the 10 days that they will be away.  There is a great deal of preparatory work and fundraising to be done before the annual trip to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Jo Parris, Lettings Manager for Barton Wyatt Estate Agency in Virginia Water, Surrey was invited to be a non medical escort for the 2013 Dreamflight.  It was in fact a client of Barton Wyatt who introduced Jo to the charity almost ten years ago and together with Jo’s husband, Mike, a doctor, they decided to offer their time for the trip.

James Wyatt, partner of Barton Wyatt offered his own support by giving Jo the extra time off from the office and sponsoring T-shirts for the children of the ‘Pooh Bear’ Group to enjoy on their day in Blizzard Beach.  Barton Wyatt has sponsored the Pooh Bear group T-shirts for nearly ten years and looks forward to continuing to do so in the future.

Jo Parris comments on her experience:

“I was both nervous and excited about the trip before we went.  Excited by the experiences I was going to gain from being part of such a special group of people but also anxious to get my part right and make a worthy contribution to the trip.”

Jo was allocated two special boys to her care; Robert and Jermain, aged 8 and 9 years old. The holiday started in a hotel near Heathrow and once the goodbyes to the parents were completed, Jo’s duties began.

The Dreamflight flight itself was a revelation to Jo, a frequent flier herself.  “The flight started with a party and really went on like that,” she explains.  Silly string, face painting, nail bar, food on demand and the friendliest crew you’ll ever come across including a running commentary from the flight deck during take-off and landing made flying a real adventure for children, many of whom had never been near an airport, let alone travelled on a Jumbo-Jet!

Once at Orlando, Jo had a packed schedule starting at 7am and often not finishing until 11pm.  The group were taken daily to a different theme park on the ‘Pooh Bear’ bus aiming to ensure the children had maximum fun.  However, there was always a serious side to ensure the wellbeing, safety and health of the children and Jo found she grew eyes in the back of her head so that she always knew where her boys were and that their medication was given on time.

Jo describes the emotional side of the trip,

“A tremendous bond was made between the group, not just with the children and teenagers but with other escorts and arriving home was quite emotional.  Parents came to meet the plane and yes there were a few tears. I personally felt bereft for several weeks, continually looking round for ‘my boys’.

“I’ve not seen the boys since the trip, it’s not protocol. I have however sent them photo books and had email communication with one of the boy’s mums. In the New Year we will be showing the film of the trip to the whole Pooh Bear group and so I can’t wait to see all of the children then.”

Dr Mike, a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine had a very different experience as he was a ‘floating doctor’ not officially allocated to a group but going to where he was needed.  He spent his time with all twelve of the groups and was responsible for the health of the adult volunteers on the trip as well as the children.  Mike was also responsible for a sourcing a portable ventilator for the trip, an expensive and life saving piece of equipment but this was just one part of the multitude of tasks which together make the trip possible.

Jo concludes,

“Going on Dreamflight is a huge honour. It is also a huge responsibility and mentally and physically exhausting.  Dreamflight changes the lives of the children who go but I can also say that it’s changed me.  Would I go again?  In a heartbeat.”

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

For more details on Dreamflight visit www.dreamflight.org