Dream House Part 5
You don’t have to look far to find a mini mansion for sale. Some have been lovingly restored, while others are crying out for renovation and, according to the experts, demand for these properties is increasing. Jess Simpson runs a property search company and believes the country house market is strong with listed homes and renovation projects growing in popularity with buyers. “Many of my clients are using country estates as second homes offering an escape to pursue a quieter pace of life; for others they facilitate rural enterprises. The rise of craft beers, specialist meats and even British vineyards have inspired a whole new generation of country estate owners.”
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| Grade II listed Douai Abbey |
Amwell Grove in Hertfordshire is a substantial Georgian country house needing modernisation, designed in 1794 by the architect and civil engineer Robert Mylne as his own weekend residence. Set in four acres of mature gardens, the eight bedroom property in the village of Great Amwell is for sale with Savills for £2.99m. The T-shaped house has accommodation across four floors with many original features and vast cellarage, tennis court, paddock and kitchen garden. Subject to planning the house could be transformed into a small hotel or wedding venue due to its proximity to London. Near Kingsbridge in Devon, Knight Frank is selling The White House, a fully renovated boho-style seven bedroom, six bathroom, Grade II listed Georgian property currently trading as a boutique B&B, for £1.2m. With beautiful part-walled gardens, garages and ample parking, the popular coastal resorts of Salcombe and Dartmouth are within a ten mile drive.
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| Grade II listed interior at Douai Abbey, Reading |
Oliver Knight, Research Associate at Knight Frank, notes the shift away from urban town and city markets to more rural homes. “As this demand continues to pick up across the year, we expect to see house price growth in rural locations continuing to converge with urban markets, especially for homes located in and around villages that maintain good transport links and amenities.”
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| The White House |
“There will always be a demand for large, imposing homes, but at present it’s for properties that are generous without being overwhelming,” adds Caroline Edwards, Partner, Carter Jonas Suffolk. “Buyers tend to be deterred by large properties that need reroofing or outbuildings that are falling down. However, some buyers still have aspirations to convert these properties into wedding venues, or rent them out for film and TV productions.” Jason House forms one half of the largest, and one of the most impressive, houses on The Green in the sought after village of Long Melford in Suffolk. Grade II listed, it’s likely to date back to the 1500s and is on the market for £985,000. Significantly refurbished by the current owners it could be the ideal country house B&B, yet according to selling agent Carter Jonas it’s receiving most interest from downsizers who want the status of an iconic village house, with all the convenience of a central location.
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| Amwell Grove |
If buying a whole house is just too big an option, how about a small wing? Savills is selling a four bedroom apartment in the Grade II listed Douai Abbey near Reading, Berkshire, for £1.195m. The extremely individual and stylish apartment has been converted from the former school buildings and the grandeur of the main reception room with beautiful beamed, high ceilings and original period features is impressive. Surrounded by classically planted gardens there is a concierge and underground parking included in the price.
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| Jason House Long Melford |
Retirees can choose from the best of both worlds on the Wilderness estate set in acres of rolling Kent countryside. Wildernesse House, on the outskirts of Sevenoaks, is an exquisite collection of one and two-bedroom restored apartments and eight twobedroom mews houses in the newly built stable block. Dining and spa facilities are also on site. Prices for the mews start from £652,950, while apartments in the main house range from £956,950 through PegasusLife. WORDS: Fiona Brandhorst
sources: Berkshire Life, August 2018
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| The Manor House |
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