Grade II listed Woolley Hall presents a completely unique opportunity for buyers looking to move in the Maidenhead area.  Luxury homes developer Millgate have selected Braxtons of Maidenhead to assist with the sale of this wonderful estate.

The new homes and luxury apartments are set within glorious 33 acres parkland, with the backdrop of the grade II listed Woolley Hall Mansion which dates from the late 18th Century.  This eminent estate is perched on the edge of Littlewick Green; a quintessentially English village complete with church, school, houses set around a central cricket pitch and a pub duly name The Cricketers. The grounds of Woolley Hall have survived largely intact from their original design by Thomas Mawson with innumerable fine specimen trees.

The location enjoys an idyllically secluded sylvan setting, yet Woolley Hall lies within 2.5 miles of Maidenhead town centre which will benefit from Crossrail in 2018.  The new trains are set to provide a world class rail service to Bond Street in 40 minutes and Canary Wharf in under an hour making Woolley hall a perfect choice for commuters.

With excellent road connection also (M4, M40 & M25 motorways), Woolley Hall is going to stand out from the crowd as an opportunity to acquire a beautiful home which will enjoy first class transport links and yet still remains in a pastoral location.

Robin Rixon, Senior Partner of Braxtons comments:

“I anticipate that this fabulous new Millgate development will appeal not only to local purchasers but to those that currently live in London who will recognise an opportunity to enhance their lives in this semi-rural location. The broad range of property that Millgate is creating here, from luxury apartments to detached country homes, mews and town houses is highly appealing and with such diversity the estate will attract a wide range of purchasers including families, investors and downsizers.

“The local property market remains strong in and around Maidenhead. There has been a general shortage of stock and increased interest from London buyers who are keen to capitalise on their property gains in the city. Investors are also out shopping locally attracted by the arrival of Crossrail.”

According to Zoopla data Maidenhead property prices have risen 12.3% from a year ago and 19.34% over the past 5 years.  With Crossrail coming to town and the exquisite riverside setting that this town enjoys, the future is looking bright for property owners in the area.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate said:

“Living in the local area myself I have seen first-hand the boom in property prices in the last few years.  Having the opportunity to develop this wonderful old estate at Woolley Hall is such a splendid opportunity for us.  There is nothing we enjoy more at Millgate than breathing new life into beautiful old houses.  The mansion is to become 6 luxury apartments and the original stable blocks will be converted into 5 houses, which will be unusual and charming at the same time. We have some detached family homes also going onto the site which gives further variety to buyers.”

Woolley Hall has 33 acres of land on this gated development and all the residents will be able to enjoy the spacious grounds including stunning formal gardens designed by the pioneering landscape architect Thomas Mawson which will be restored to their former glory.

Millgate are expecting to release for sale the five family villas known as Lilley, Cottingham, Loveday, Dower and Dunn after the opening of the Show Home in March 2015.

For further details contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

On the surface of it, Binfield may appear an unassuming sleepy Berkshire village on the outskirts of Wokingham so why has it become such a honeypot for homebuyers?

One award-winning developer which has realised the vast potential and growing buyer demand for homes in this charming village is Millgate who are shortly to open the doors to their latest show home at Meadows Reach in Binfield.

The show house is one of 18 properties about to enter the market and according to Peter Kavanagh of appointed selling agent, Romans, the launch could not be better timed:

“We absolutely cannot wait to be able to show our clients around this wonderful development; Millgate have pitched the build quality and size of homes perfectly.  We already have a queue of people who are anxious to visit and the October launch cannot come soon enough!”

Kavanagh goes on to comment on the current market in Binfield,

“We have seen a very buoyant market so far in 2014.  Wokingham, the closest town to Meadows Reach is becoming a very desirable place to live.  And for those that cannot afford the uplift in prices that has occurred in Wokingham itself, Binfield offers a fabulous alternative.”

Back in October 2012 Wokingham was hailed as the most desirable place in England and Wales to bring up a family according to a national study by Family Investments, which examined factors such as quality of schools, childcare provision, cost of living, crime levels and property affordability. The study also considered the availability of parks and green spaces, leisure centres, museums and theatres.

Little has changed over the past 2 years except more recently some quite large mid-range developments are under construction on the edge of the town.  Kavanagh says:

“Another reason that Millgate’s Meadows Reach development will do so well is the sheer quality of work which is outstanding and will surely stand out from the rest of the crowd.”

Opening the doors to the show home on Saturday 18^th October, Millgate are looking forward to welcoming a diverse range of people across the threshold. The homes are so well designed that they will perfectly suit downsizers, upsizers, side steppers or first time buyers alike – depending on their particular situation. And with prices starting at just £450,000 it is easy to see why these high quality homes are sure to sell fast.

A choice of house sizes is available at Meadows Reach with an innovative development of eighteen 3 & 4 bedroom homes. The development has been beautifully thought out with 2 acres of recreational land for owners to share and enjoy.

Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate, Jonathan Cranley, comments on the new collection,

“We are currently in the most extraordinary position of having sold all of our stock, a first since I joined Millgate in 2007.  It goes to prove the confidence buyers have in the South East of England and our homes.

“We have had many calls over the past couple of years to build some more affordable homes in Berkshire and this is exactly what we have done, responded to our client’s needs. I believe that Binfield, just 6 miles from Wokingham is exactly what the UK needs to overcome the current housing crisis.  Smaller bespoke developments in semi-rural areas which are very easy to commute to and from.”

For more details on this exciting new development in Binfield contact Millgate on 01189 343 344 or visitwww.millgatehomes.co.uk.

• Millgate almost sells out in Ascot (93% sold)
• Berkshire listed 4^th in recent Telegraph list of top 20 classiest counties
• Ascot resident compares the Village to Monaco

As the dust settles after another action packed week at Royal Ascot, life begins to return to normal.  There is no escaping the buzz and anticipation that this infamous racing week brings to the residents of this normally sleepy little village.  Some residents choose to holiday that week in a more peaceful spot to avoid the crowds and the organised chaos.

For most residents of Ascot, however, this is the highlight of the year.  Many house owners take the week off work and enjoy the extraordinary excitement that no other racing week in the UK can match for pomp and ceremony.

Local businesses take advantage, where they can of the cheerful crowds that weave their way back to the train station after a day of playful racing and socialising.  Other businesses that struggle to function as they would normally grin and bear it – organising shift work and car shares to keep the wheels turning for the week.

Local schools are lenient with tardy students and try to adapt their working day to alleviate painful collection and drop offs for school.

Despite all this disruption, there are few that would consider moving away.

Resident Mr Philips explains:

“I just love Royal Ascot week.  I used to live in Monaco and I felt the same when the Formula 1 was being raced there – the noise, the excitement, it is wonderful.  This week I have had my television on screening the racing and the patio doors to my wonderful new garden apartment in Westbrook House have been thrown wide open.  This way I can watch the horse racing on the TV but hear the crowd cheering and as the horses go past our property I can hear the thunder of their hooves.“

Mr Philips has been a resident in Ascot for several years and has just recently moved into a brand new apartment block which has views towards the grandstand at Ascot.  This luxury apartment block was completed by Millgate earlier this year and all but one of the beautiful homely apartments have been snapped up by buyers who were looking for an alternative to a detached home that makes up the majority of stock in the Ascot area.

Berkshire was recently listed in fourth place in Britain’s 20 classiest counties by the Telegraph and was the only Home Country that made it onto the list.  Desirability in the area continues to be high, although the supersized houses have stuck since the mansion tax was introduced.

New build luxury apartments are extremely scarce which is undoubtedly why 13 of the 14 apartments in Westbrook House sold at such speed.  Mr Philips moved here for ease of living.  His apartment spans 2000 square feet which is almost identical to the size of his previous detached house,

“My new apartment has as much space as I had before but I have the luxury of a brand new home with the most wonderful display of fixtures and fittings.  And, much as I enjoy the outdoors, I no longer have a garden to worry about.”

Millgate are thrilled to announce that they have secured a further land acquisition in Ascot close to the High Street so buyers looking for a new home that is an easy walk into the town will find this the perfect location.  Construction is already underway and the finished property will include seventeen super high-end apartments which are being created in 12 acres of stunning landscaped grounds.

Englemere is a former Royal Residence and the beautifully landscaped gardens include a delightful formal garden, fountain and a woodland walk.  A feature of the garden is the range of mature trees, including a magnificent oak that dates from the time of Henry VIII. Residents will also enjoy tennis courts and a swimming pool.

The original house was occupied by the late Field Marshal Lord Roberts (1832 – 1914), whose occupancy ran between 1903 – 1914. The existing building is being replaced with something that compliments and is sympathetic to the original architectural style of the property yet will also include the latest in design technology and luxury fittings.

The launch date for Englemere is estimated to be Summer 2016. Apartment sizes range from 2000 – 3500 sq ft in size. Price on application.

For more details contact Millgate on 018 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

• Swimming is England’s favourite sport (Sport England)
• Year-on-year triathlon day licences increased over 19% (2012 – 2013)
• A Surrey swimming pool that looks like you are in Spain (Knight Frank Surrey)

More than 2.9 million people go swimming at least once a week in the UK, according to Sport England’s 2013/2014 data. The figure positions swimming as the top sport in the UK by a significant margin, though in recent years the number of people getting involved in sport has also risen substantially.

Playing in team sports might be fun but in today’s busy world it is a simpler proposition to do your own thing. Many individuals look to combine the two, exercising and training on their own but turning to organised events such as triathlons in order to share their participation with others. In fact, the triathlon, which includes swimming, cycling and running, has seen huge rise in the number of contestants taking part, with the day licences to race increasing 19.12% from 2012 to 2013.

Both cycling and running are instant sports: very little thought needs to go into planning for a hill sprint or a 5k jog. Find yourself with a spare 45 minutes and off you go. Swimming however is a different matter. Packing your kit, driving to the leisure centre and paddling around in the water with a whole host of strangers loses much appeal after a hard day in the office. This is one of the reasons that open swimming is such a growth sport in the UK, along with the fact that it hit the headlines after the International Olympic Committee listed a 10km race as one of the events for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

While more and more people are heading to the great outdoors to unearth the swimming adrenalin buzz, those who can afford it far prefer to own their own swimming pool. The ease of slipping into your costume and just strolling into your garden for the ultimate de-stress is hard to beat.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate, who have been building a select range of homes with stunning swimming pools so far in 2014, commented:

“When we are designing plots for luxury homes, if there is ample space, then we will often try to incorporate a swimming pool. Nobody wants a pool that takes up the entire garden and we are aware that buyers are often thinking ‘safety first’ when buying a house, particularly if they have young children. Thus we endeavour to keep pools in an area that can be cordoned off if need be.

“Our latest houses to include pools were outside Oxted in Surrey on Trevereux Hill. The stepped gardens we created from being on the side of a hill made perfect locations to include wonderful pools with views that stretches between 20 and 30 miles on a clear day.”

Two of the homes with swimming pools have already been sold, snapped up by families who fell in love with the incredible view and wanted a way for the kids to keep fit in the garden!

Ashley Mason, Head of Sales for Knight Frank, Surrey who are selling the development said:

“There are pools and there are pools. Buyers are put off by dirty, run down swimming pools that look like they will cost a fortune to repair. The pools at Trevereux are a million miles from this! They are utterly gorgeous. Prospective buyers have been astonished when they see them – you could easily imagine you are in Spain rather than deepest Surrey!”

For more details on buying homes with luxury swimming pools, contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

• Millgate return to Kingswood to build luxury apartments due to growing demand
• 6 houses in exclusive Kingswood Warren bought by mystery buyers with Royal connections
• Direct rail link to London Bridge in 41 minutes makes Kingswood ideal commuter territory

Nestled in a vale, just 3.5 miles from the Royal-favoured racecourse of Epsom lies Kingswood.   Starting life as a small Saxon Hamlet the area went on to become a sizeable hunting ground and later designated a Royal game reserve.

450 years ago Queen Elizabeth I gave her trusted ally and servant, Lord Howard of Effingham the Hamlet of Kingswoode.  With such an auspicious start in life it is unsurprising that this delightful Home County village attracts a host of wealthy and on some occasions, famous residents.

Back in 1658 Kingswood consisted of 12 farmers who had an annual income of £23. Today the village boasts nearly 7,000 residents including Fulham footballer Danny Murphy, who reputedly earned £1.5 million in 2012 or Chelsea’s Arjen Robben with his £5.5 million 2012 pay packet.

Also recently spotted house hunting in the area was singer Jessie J, reportedly viewing a number of new gated developments in addition to news of the purchase of six houses in the exclusive Kingswood Warren by what is thought to be Middle Eastern buyers with Royal connections.

For those looking to move to the area there are many reasons to consider Kingswood. The village is renowned for its peace and quiet and spacious plots with lots of leafy lanes and beautiful private homes.  You should also not overlook the blindingly quick commute into central London (41 minutes to London Bridge) and the ridiculous number of golf courses on the door step (7 within 3 miles)!  A parent’s dream for school choices too with outstanding private, grammar and state schools all within an easy drive.

Returning to Kingswood for the third time in 5 years is the multi award-winning luxury home developer Millgate. Ground-breaking has just started on site with Millgate creating seven luxury apartments and one country house located an easy walk to the village and train station.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate, comments,

“Previously we have focused on the construction of large family homes in the area and they have been terrifically successful.  The plot we are working on now leans itself to accommodate a large detached house and collection of luxury apartments.  I believe the apartments will suit busy businesspeople that need easy access into the City but love the great outdoors at the weekend.  Kingswood is also a hub for cycling, a hugely growing sport out in the Surrey Hills.”

The agent appointed to sell this development is Richard Saunders based in the village. Business owner and Director Richard Saunders said:

“We cannot wait for these homes to be completed and ready for viewings.   We believe these homes will attract London leavers and local downsizers who want to remain in the area they love.  There is so little choice in that market and I do not doubt that these apartments will be snapped up very quickly.

“It has been a long time since country apartments of this calibre have come to the market and there is tremendous interest from local residents. Millgate always build a superb home and these will have a great location just a short walk from the village and station.  Kingsworthy is going to be the new king of Kingswood for quite some time.”

Two bed apartments are designed with 1300 – 2600 sq ft with guide prices starting from £675,000.  The detached house boasts 3700 sq ft.  For more information on the development contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

It seems that the outlook for 2014 for Berkshire’s upmarket village of Sunninghill is sunny indeed. Luxury homes developer Millgate launched four new country mansions earlier this year in Sunninghill, and within just a fortnight, two of these exquisite mansions had been reserved. Now, less than four months later, all four have been snapped up by prime buyers.

Just a little over three miles from the “super suburb” of Virginia Water, as the Telegraph has dubbed it, Sunninghill provides a plethora of reasons for families to locate to its leafy lanes.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate comments:
“Sunninghill is just a stone’s throw from the exclusive enclave of Surrey’s Wentworth Estate. House prices here demand a hefty premium due to their location on the ‘island,’ as it is fondly known by the locals.

“Down the road in Sunninghill, villagers still benefit from the same fabulous amenities, but with homes that avoid the same weighty price tags that neighbouring Wentworth creates. This part of Surrey and Berkshire has easy access to both Heathrow and London, as well as terrific schooling choices and a wide range of local entertainment options.”

Recently, a report by Hamptons International, indicated that the return of housing market confidence has been greatly influenced by the different types of buyers driving supply and demand. For instance, there were 350,000 cash buyers in 2013, accounting for 36% of market activity. Although 70% of these buyers weren’t selling a property to fund their purchase, meaning that stock levels were not increasing as a result of their transactions.
This goes some way to explain the extreme shortage of housing stock that Britain continues to experience. While supply lags behind, Hamptons International has reported that demand for homes is up 28% in the Surrey and Berkshire area.

Regional Director of Hamptons International, Julian de la Poer Beresford, who was responsible for the sale of the luxury Millgate country mansions, comments,

“With many of these cash buyers looking in the premium housing markets, it is probably of no surprise that they have been drawn to Millgate’s ‘best in class’ for country homes. There are two main facts driving the quick sale of these homes: firstly the number of Londoners looking to move out of the city into the country has doubled compared with last year and secondly the upturn in enquiries from overseas buyers.

“These overseas buyers are no longer just looking at prime central London, but instead are broadening their search to a wider geographical area.

They mirror the buyer profiles of Millgate’s majestic Holland Place, which explains the speed at which these four Sunninghill houses have been snapped up.

“Saying that, the quality and finish on these beautiful houses has also been a key factor in their quick sale – they are simply world-class.”
For more information on country mansions from Millgate contact them on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk

Quintessential British house builder Millgate proved triumphant once again at this afternoon’s prestigious London Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2014.

Now in their 23^rd year, the London Evening Standard New Homes Awards is a glittering occasion which celebrates the diversity and excitement of the housing market in the South East of England where the much of the UK’s cutting edge new homes industry occurs.

Held at one of London’s finest venues, the Dorchester Hotel, the awards were well attended and host comedian Dara O´Briain did a sterling job of presenting the twelve awards open to house builders and developers both large and small.

Championing clever design and creative solutions that solve the challenges of city living, the awards recognised projects which showcase clever lighting, inspiring use of space as well as the wow factor in fabulous family homes and luxury apartments.

With the Judging Panel comprising industry experts along with London Evening Standard readers, the breadth of award categories reflected the diversity of the South East property market from Best First-Time Buy to The Eco-Living Award and Best Development in the Affordable Homes Sector.

Chart Ridge, Trevereux – Highly Commended Out of London Home

Millgate were highly commended in the Best Out of London Home category for their exceptional development close to Oxted, Surrey.  This development has been unusual for Millgate as it is their first mixed vernacular site.

Chart Ridge at Trevereux is created from what was originally a convalescents home attached to Charing Cross Hospital and later a pioneering centre for Marie Curie Research Institute.  Millgate have respected the character and history of the original property on the land, retaining the derelict building’s façade as well as extending to the rear in order to create six luxury apartments.

This wonderful residence is flanked either side by two luxury six bedroom mansions complete with five en-suites, a super-sized Master Suite and a colossal downstairs living area incorporating kitchen, dining and several seating areas.

Trevereux also includes a milestone project for Millgate as this was the first time in the developer’s 25 year history that they have deviated from their classic design style and included a contemporary modern home on the site.

Ashworth House, Bardfield – Highly Commended  Best Family Home

Once again the delighted Millgate team were highly commended in the Best Family Home category for their sumptuous six bedroom residence, Ashworth House at Bardfield in Sunninghill, just two miles from the internationally renowned Ascot racecourse.

Ashworth House sits within substantial landscaped grounds and reflects meticulous attention to detail in design, specification and architectural integrity – again setting the benchmark for building excellence.

This wonderful house offers exceptional family accommodation arranged over three storeys and boasts a magnificent central galleried staircase with spectacular chandelier.  The downstairspiece de resistance is the vast kitchen/family room which features several interesting areas designed for integrated family living.  Three further large reception rooms are ideal for entertaining.

Upstairs the master bedroom suite was created to mirror a luxury hotel suite; there are en-suite bathrooms to all of the other five bedrooms plus a bonus bedroom/games room. Staff can also easily be accommodated within the annexe which is found over the triple garage.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales & Marketing Director atMillgate commented on today’s event,

“We focus our attention on building beautiful high-quality homes, priding ourselves on innovation, design and craftsmanship and ensuring that we tend to every little detail. I believe this is what sets us apart from other house builders and it’s wonderful to have been acknowledged by both our industry peers and readers of the Evening Standard.

“We are a committed team at Millgate and that is most certainly why our homes are as sublime on the inside as they are splendid on the outside. The dedication, professionalism of our staff and subcontractors are precisely why Millgate succeeds. It’s a pleasure working with them.”

For more information on Millgate call 01189 343 344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

No other event links haute couture and top level sport with such finesse; I give you Royal Ascot which attracts a whopping 500,000 visitors every year. The pull of glamour, the presence of the Royal Family and the dramatic flat racing go hand in hand with cutting edge fashion, champagne and the chance of a little flutter. This is what drives the crowds back to this Berkshire town year after year.

• Royal Ascot (17^th – 21^st June 2014) attracts 500,000 visitors every year
• Show Home Open Day on Saturday May 17^th at Westbrook House, Ascot
• Westbrook House now over 70% sold, last 4 apartments remain

In its 303^rd year, Royal Ascot commences on Tuesday 17^th June culminating with the ‘last race’ followed by ‘singing around the bandstand’ at 6pm Saturday 21^st.  Thursday 19^th June is the much loved ‘Ladies Day’ where inspired millinery creations will be perched upon the heads of glamorous fillies teetering in their stilettoes.

This year, on the East side of the race track, are ten new home owners who are itching for the excitement to start.  Westbrook House was completed by award-winning luxury home builderMillgate back in January. Fourteen top of the range two and three bedroom apartments, each with two underground parking spaces proved fabulously appealing with already ten of the fourteen fine properties snapped up, mainly by local downsizers who wanted somewhere easy to live without giving up any of the benefits of their beloved Ascot.

Indeed back in June last year, Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate predicted this for Westbrook House:

“I anticipate that these apartments are likely to be bought by downsizers from the local area who no longer have the need for a large family house but love the town too much to leave.”

Jonathan today remarks,

“Well nobody likes a smart Alec but I am delighted that I got this one so right.  We have been the talk of the ‘downsizers’ in Ascot with literally dozens coming for a look around our stunning Show Home. Some are not quite ready to take the downsizing plunge just yet but the interest is there so perhaps we will need to build Westbrook House II soon!

“Our proximity to Ascot racecourse has definitely been a draw of these apartments. As the crow flies they are about 800 meters from the grandstand however they are far enough away that Royal Ascot will be a pleasure and not a disturbance for residents.”

A special Open Day has been arranged at Westbrook House on Saturday May 17^th. These key ready homes are guaranteed to bring any keen race goer a great deal of pleasure or for those just looking for a luxury apartment that is easy to lock up and leave when required these are just perfect.

Ascot itself boasts an array of fine dining options, an abundance charming shops, some of the finest schooling in the country and is situated in ´Royal´ Berkshire which does sound terrifically grand.

For more details of the opening event or a brochure on these charming apartments contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visitwww.millgatehomes.co.uk.