Sunninghill is a peaceful village which sits on the edge of Berkshire, close to Surrey and nudging the boundary of better-known Ascot.

These villages are held in high esteem and are known to attract the rich, the famous and even a smattering of royalty.

• Newly built luxury homes to be sold by Hamptons International
•  According to Zoopla, house prices remain buoyant and are up over 6% on 5 years ago
• New buyers looking for houses in the South East up by 35%

Schooling is of a particularly good standard and is one of the reasons why these villages are so attractive to families.  Parents have been known to move house to get their children into Charters School in Sunninghill, one of the UK’s top performing state schools.

The area sees many expats living here in a truly cross cultural community. Many are driven to the area by the choice of two leading international schools – TASIS in Thorpe and the ACS International Schools in Egham and Cobham are highly appealing to families looking to ensure that their children maintain an international education.  Trains from adjoining Sunningdale take under an hour into Waterloo, whilst Heathrow airport is just 15 miles away, making this an excellent location for business travel.

Julian de la Poer Beresford, Regional Director for Hamptons in Sunninghill, comments on the country mansions that are coming from Millgate:

“Hamptons International is delighted to be working again with Millgate in the sale of Holland Place in Sunninghill, Berkshire.  Millgate’s mission is to be “the best in British house building” and the quality of their work speaks volumes.  Hamptons International has sold several developments for Millgate in the past and they are certainly building a positive reputation from our clients to this effect.

“Holland Place, a development of only four bespoke houses, will provide an opportunity for discerning buyers to acquire a well-appointed individual home, set in a semi-rural location, with garden sizes to match the generous accommodation.

“Holland Place is situated between the prominent towns of Sunningdale and Ascot, internationally recognised for their famous golf course and racecourse. It is perfectly located for motorway access to London and to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

“With house prices in London now 10% above their pre-recession peak, but the average price in England and Wales still 10% below, the country house market is very good value indeed.  Recent statistics seem to be recognising this.  Our figures show that new buyers looking in the South East are up by 35% on last year, yet the number of new sellers is only up by 17%.  As a result, Hamptons have seen an increase in overall sales of 55% on last year and over the last three months, more sales than any three month period since 2007.  However, there is still ground to be made – prices remain 6% below their peak, but with an increase in enquiries from London buyers in the prime sector, now is a good time to be looking at Holland Place and a move to the country.”

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate, who made the Hamptons International appointment, commented:

“We have worked with Hamptons International on several projects previously and we are confident of their ability to attract local, London and international buyers to view our new homes.  The largest property in the portfolio of four that we are building will fetch in the region of £4.75 million and it is likely that this country mansion will sell to a foreign investor.”

This fabulously indulgent project in Sunninghill is due to launch in November 2013.  For further information please contact Millgate on 01189 343344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

A number of private and grammar schools in the Gerrards Cross area have received an outstanding set of GCSE results this August:

• The Times 2013 league tables placed Dr Challoner’s High School as the 25^th best state school in the country at GCSE and 22nd at A Level.
• A record number of places were gained by Chesham Grammar School pupils at Oxford and Cambridge this year
• At Langley Grammar the whole year group (148 students) walked away with at least 10 GCSEs at C or above.
• At Beaconsfield High School (grammar) more than 40% of all ‘A’ level students achieved grades of A* and A.
• John Hampden Grammar School hailed its latest crop of year 11 pupils its “best ever” after 60% of boys scored A*/As, with 70% securing at least 5 A* grades.
• St Mary´s School in Gerrards Cross, achieved a near 100% GCSE pass rate, with a staggering 41% of grades being A or A*
•  At Thorpe House School pupils have celebrated the best ever GCSE results with 51% receiving A or A* grades and 93% at C or above.
•  And down the road at The Royal Grammar school all of the 198 candidates gained 5 grades at A*-C.  98% gained 8 or more grades at A*-C including English and Mathematics and 72.62% of all grades were A* or A.

 With results like this it is not surprising that Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire remains a hot spot with parents keen to ensure that their children can benefit from such a remarkable education.

Housing in the area remains popular with local developers, Millgate, recently completing a small bespoke development of luxury family homes just a mile from the Gerrards Cross High Street.  The development which comprises 8 beautifully thought-out detached houses and 4 luxurious town houses have been the talk of the town.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate explains why,

“In today’s market our clients are more inclined to ask us about the education, both grammar and private, available in the area. Giving their children the very best chance in life has become of the utmost importance and it is with this in mind that we often base decisions on where we choose to build.

“The schools in the Gerrards Cross area certainly seemed to have had a storming success this year in the face of news about lower grades throughout the UK. More and more parents, especially those from central London, are basing their housing decisions upon schooling options and with Gerrards Cross presenting such great results, we are delighted to be able to offer luxury family homes nearby.”

Indeed according to a report by Prime Location prices near top schools are 37% higher than neighbouring areas in the South East of England and a report by Lloyds TSB revealed that house prices in the postcodes of the 30 state schools with the highest 2011 GCSE results in the country were £33,631 higher than average, or 12% higher than prices in neighbouring locations.

For more information on the stunning Millgate development at Alderbourne Place, Gerrards Cross where town houses are priced from £930,000 and detached 5 bedroom properties from £2,100,000, contact the sales team 0118 934 3344or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk to take a video tour.

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?

* 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.

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. 

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.

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:

Classic design and relaxed living go hand-in-hand at Regency Place in Walton-on-the-Hill, where this weekend the second Millgate show home is opening its doors at 10am. 

This exclusive collection of six country homes has proven incredibly popular already with the New England style interior impressing three downsizing couples who had been searching for the perfect home now that the children have flown the nest.

Leaving behind their larger properties, these buyers were looking for homes still within Surrey but which were easier to maintain and had the feeling of space that their previous homes had offered.  Perfectly situated on a quiet residential road, walking distance to one of the finest golf courses in the area and just under a mile to the picturesque village of Walton-on-the-Hill, Regency Place ticks all the boxes.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director of Millgate, comments:

“One of my favourite villages in Surrey, Walton-on-the-Hill has everything you would want from a quiet out-of-London life but still be just 40 minutes away from the heart of the Capital.  The village has the most delightful pond, a very historical church and a selection of quality shops and eateries.

“We have been delighted with the interest that this development has received over the past few weeks since launch and our partners, Alexander James Interiors, always seem to blend the character of the local area with every house that they dress.  The warm and relaxed, natural look combines perfectly with clean lines and luxurious pieces of furniture are guaranteed to woo.”

Richard Saunders, Director of appointed selling agents, comments on the feedback his team has received on Regency Place:

“We have not had a soul through the doors of Regency Place who has not been blown away by the beautiful composition of a luxury house with the most incredible interior design.  You really have to see a Millgate house to understand.  It is like stepping into a 7* luxury hotel suite – yet it is the entire house that is set to that quality.”

To experience for yourselves this inspirational living, visit Regency Place, Hurst Drive, Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey, KT20 7QT this weekend.

Laidback luxury nestled in a highly desirable location with generous accommodation priced from £1.45 million, contact Millgate now for further information on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk to www.luxuriouswatches.co.uk arrange a private viewing appointment.

Last month, John Hills, professor of social policy at the London School of Economics, published “Wealth in the UK: Distribution, Accumulation and Policy”, which revealed that 1 in 10 households now has a net wealth of more than £967,200.

• 1 in 10 UK households now have a net wealth of almost £1,000,000
• SL9 8 – Gerrards Cross – achieves 3^rd position in top 20 wealthiest postcodes
• New Millgate development in GX receives over 900 visitors in 15 weeks

Thanks to the long housing boom, many people have become millionaires (on paper at least) without having to earn a penny. However, in order to benefit you had to be a homeowner prior to 2005 and young people who have bought expensive houses since then are likely to have enormous mortgages.

According to Experian the wealthiest postcodes in Britain included Gerrards Cross (SL9 8) in at third position, only tipped to the post by Oxshott, Surrey in second (KT22 8) and Totteridge, Hertfordshire in first place (N20 0).

Expensive leafy neighbourhoods with large detached, gated homes and fancy cars on the driveway might be the first obvious sign of wealth but in the Home Counties this is a familiar sight, so what else apart from bricks and mortar makes an area ‘wealthy’?

Indeed Experian revealed that wealth does not always go hand-in-hand with the size of your house. London’s most expensive penthouse at One Hyde Park, SW7 1 sold recently for £136 million and whilst this area boasts the priciest postcode in the UK in which to purchase property, the wealthiest area was in fact Totteridge in N20 8 where net wealth is not negatively affected by vast mortgages as most own their homes outright.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate, the award-winning Home Counties builder, comments on Gerrards Cross’s high ranking and wealth,

”Gerrards Cross is undoubtedly a desirable places to live and is often referred to as ‘mini Hollywood’ due to its celebrity residents who have included Cilla Black, Paul Daniels, Val Doonican, Fern Brittan and more recently a whole host of well-known footballers.  People move here for a more relaxed pace of life than London and often because house prices are more affordable than Central London.

“With direct trains to London Marylebone taking as little as 18 minutes, this up-market town is a dream for many commuters. Gerrards Cross is considered very well-heeled with an aesthetically pleasing High Street boasting an array of independent retailers that sell top-notch goods, quality ladies clothing, luxury gifts and local food. If you add into the mix a choice of incredibly well regarded state and public schools, you can see why so many move from London to this picturesque small town.”

But it’s not just commuters moving to the area. Just recently a Japanese drugs company choose the business park between Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter to base its new UK operation meaning that the villages will be “at the forefront of drug development in the UK” said a spokesperson from Daiichi Sankyo.

Millgates’ own new development, Alderbourne Place in Gerrards Cross has proven extremely popular also, visited by 933 people in 15 weeks.  Cranley explains:

“Alderbourne Place really has been the talk of the town since we opened the Show Home with many visitors keen to see what a quality new build house is really all about.  The interest and positivity from the local community has been terrific and with that has come many genuine purchasers looking to buy including upsizers, downsizers, side steppers and London leavers!”

Alderbourne Place enjoys a perfect blend of seclusion and comfort which offers the best of town and country living, nestled in rolling green-belt countryside.  This fabulous new development consists of 8 impressive country homes and 4 town houses reflecting meticulous attention to detail with architectural integrity, yet again setting the benchmark for building excellence.

These new homes will have an unrivalled pedigree to match their desirable location with generous accommodation finished to an outstanding specification priced from £930,000 for a town house and from £2,100,000 for a detached country house.

To ensure you don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity to purchase a home in the third wealthiest postcode, contact the Millgate team for further information or to arrange a viewing on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Ascot Racecourse is steeped in history and tradition. Founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, the first race, “Her Majesty´s Plate”, had a purse of 100 guineas and was held on 11th August 1711. Seven horses competed in this race comprising three separate 4 mile heats, each carrying a weight of just 76kg.

• Sunday Times ranks Ascot one of the top 12 places to live in SE England
• Royal Ascot commences Tuesday 18th June 2013
• Millgate launches new luxury development adjacent to Ascot Racecourse

Today the famous Gold Cup is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs and is Britain´s most prestigious event for “stayers” – horses which specialise in racing over long distances. It is traditionally held on day three of the Royal Ascot meet, known colloquially as Ladies´ Day.

The 2013 ‘ladies’ racing season kicked off last Friday with the Epsom Derby. The gentlefolk of Surrey would like to think that their event is every bit as equal to the neighbouring meet in Berkshire but sadly the Derby does not quite cut the same mustard.

Ascot has, perhaps, little to attract a day tripper apart from racing excitement and an endless stream of Moet but this town has plenty to offer people who chose to settle here. Fine dining is in abundance, an array of charming shops, some of the finest schooling in the country and of course it is situated in ‘Royal’ Berkshire which does sound terribly grand. It is for just these good reasons that Ascot has been ranked as the 12th best place to live in the South East by the Sunday Times.

And it is local award-winning house builder Millgate which has landed the enviable permission to redevelop a prime plot adjacent to the racecourse, transforming a dilapidated house into luxury apartments with less than 200 yards between them and the hallowed turf.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director of Millgate comments on this wonderful opportunity:

“Like most chaps I enjoy a flutter on the horses and have had some marvellous days at Ascot however it is fabulous to be back here again in a work capacity. We built a luxury apartment block two years ago close to Ascot and are confident we will have the same success here at Westbrook House.

“On race day residents will be so close to the racecourse they might be able to hear the pounding hooves of the horses as they hurtle round the track. 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.”

Indeed Ascot has been home to some famous celebrities such as John Lennon, Elton John, Russ Abbott, Elizabeth Hurley and Bruce Forsyth. World-class golfers include Ernie Els and Thomas Bjørn. With a commute to central London in under an hour, a short ride to London Heathrow and direct access to the M25 and M3, Ascot is a dream village to get about from.

For more information on the rare opportunity to buy a luxury apartment yards from Ascot racecourse contact Millgate on www.millgatehomes.co.uk or contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344.