AREA
GUIDES FOR THE UK FARM PROPERTY MARKET
THE SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND
(For
a list of all the prime country estate properties sold in
the South West of England recently, scroll down the page
to find this information at the end of each particular county
section)
COUNTY BY COUNTY INFORMATION - SOUTH
WEST ENGLAND
Please scroll down the page for detailed
information by county:
About the area of Bristol & North
Somerset
Somerset (inc area formerly known as
Avon)
Chard, Frome, Cheddar, Glastonbury,
Shepton Mallet, Axminster, Wincanton, Castle Cary, Ilminster,
Crewkerne, Bridgwater, Taunton, Bath, Bristol, Wells and
the Mendip Hills area of Somerset.
Somerset is one of the largest counties
in Southern England and the changes to the scenery can
be quite dramatic. In general, the county is one of well-wooded
undulating countryside and consists of a flat basin surrounded
on three sides by hills and on the fourth side by the
Bristol Channel.
To the north-east are the Mendip Hills
which are dissected by deep narrow valleys such as Cheddar
Gorge which provide dramatic scenery. To the north-west
is Exmoor and the Quantock Hills. The Blackdown Hills
are to the south and to the east of the basin is the marshy
area of Sedgemoor.
The principal rivers in the county are
the Exe and the Parrett, the latter flowing through a
flat reedy area drained for cultivation and known as the
Somerset Levels.
The north of the county includes an
area formerly known as Avon but which now has been returned
to Bath and North East Somerset.
Transport to the area is reasonable
with trains from Taunton to the west of the county taking
approximately 100 minutes to Paddington and the fast line
from Bath taking only 90 minutes. The journey from Yeovil
Junction takes approximately 135 minutes to London Waterloo
as it is affected by single track to the west of Salisbury.
The A303 is the main trunk road running
through the county and it is mostly dual carriageway.
Taunton is about a 3-hour drive to London, while Wincanton
to the east is less than 2 1/2 hours. The further north
or south from the A303, however, increases travel times
due to busy 'A' roads and small lanes.
The M5 services the west of the county
linking it to the Midlands and the North, while Bath and
North East Somerset are close to the M4.
The more popular areas of the county
are centred around the hills. Centres such as Shepton
Mallet and Yeovil, however, are fairly second rate due
to industry and urbanisation; the Somerset Levels are
not so popular because of the flat landscape and the proximity
of RNAS Yeovilton which is a busy airbase.
Somerset is very much a county for second
homeowners or for those who work locally and, as such,
property prices have kept relatively low in the more rural
areas.
Closer to Bath and Bristol, however,
a mini market has emerged making for higher prices in
the better parts of the cities and the surrounding villages.
Tourism is quite prolific but fairly spread and much less
than in the Cotswolds, though summer traffic heading on
to Cornwall and Devon can make for crowded roads in the
summer.
Although improved connections to London
have sparked interest in the local property market, Somerset
remains thoroughly rural. The Chew Valley and Wells are
the most popular areas to live in.
A rural county famed for its cider and cheese, Somerset
also has many mystical and religious connections. Glastonbury
is the New Age centre of England, and Wells has a magnificent
cathedral, founded in the eighth century.
The improvement of the A303 has made the county much more
accessible from London, and sparked interest in the country
house market. Since the demise of the modern, and unpopular,
county of Avon, the city of Bath is now once again part
of Somerset, although its housing market is still largely
independent from the rest of the county.
Somerset has a long coastline along
the Bristol Channel, from Devon to the mouthof the River
Avon, but the only natural harbour is at Watchet.
The county's varied landscape ranges
from rolling valleys and hills to the crags of Cheddar
Gorge and the wilderness of Exmoor to the west.
Agriculture is the main industry, but
tourism also thrives, particularly round Glastonbury and
in the coastal towns of Minehead and Weston-super-Mare.
Typically, houses are built of stone,
including the soft-coloured Blue Lias limestone of the
Somerset Levelsand the golden-yellow Ham stone in the
south, with clay-tiled roofs.
The Chew Valley and the cathedral city
of Wells, the smallest city in England, are among the
best places in the county to live, together with Butleigh,
which is close to Millfield School, and Castle Cary. Prices
have risen in recent years, but they are cheaper towards
the coast.
Transport links
Train: Paddington to Taunton 1hr 50min;
Paddington to Yeovil, two hours; Paddington to Bath, 1hr
25min.
Car: Taunton is 148 miles from London
and Wincanton 117 miles, via the M3 and A303. Bath is
110 miles, via the M4.
Public schools
Bruton School for Girls, Bruton (01749
812277). Girls only, age range 8-18, day and boarding.
www.brutonschool.co.uk/
Clifton College, Bristol (0117 973 9187).
Co-educational, age range 13-18, day and boarding. Associated
preparatory school. www.cliftoncollegeuk.com/
Downside School, Stratton-on-the-Fosse
(01761 235100). Boys only, age range 9-18, day and boarding.
www.downsideabbey.co.uk/
King's School, Bruton (01749 813326).
Boys aged 13-18 (co-educational sixth form), day and boarding.
www.kingsbruton.org.uk/
Millfield School, Street (01458 442291).
Co-educational, age range 13-18, day and boarding. www.millfield.somerset.sch.uk/
King's College, Taunton (01823 328210).
Co-educational, age range 13-18, day and boarding. www.kings-taunton.co.uk/
Queen's College, Taunton (01823 272559).
Co-educational, age range 8-18, day and boarding. www.queenscollege.org.uk/
Taunton School (01823 349223). Co-educational,
age range 12-18, day and boarding. Associated preparatory
school. www.tauntonschool.co.uk/
The Royal High School (01225 313877).
Girls only, age range 4-18, day. www.gdst.net/royalhighbath/
Wells Cathedral School (01749 672117).
Co-educational, age range 11-18, day and boarding. Associated
preparatory school. www.wells-cathedral-school.com/
Leisure
Golfcourses: Lansdown, Bath (01225 425007);
Bristol & Clifton (01275 393474); Yeovil (01935 75949
); Burnham & Berrow, Burnham-on-Sea (01278 783137).
Yacht clubs: Burnham-on-Sea Yacht Club,
Minehead Sailing Club.
Hunts: the Exmoor, the Taunton Vale,
the West Somerset.
Staghounds: the Quantock, the Devon
and Somerset.
Fishing: rivers Parrett and Axe, Chew
Valley Lake, Blagdon Lake.
THE BEST SOMERSET FARM HOUSES FOR
SALE IN 2004
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)
Ven House, Milbourne Port (sublime Georgian
house, Grade I, 34 acres): £6.5m
Hatch Court, Hatch Beauchamp (Grade
I listed, 109 acres): £5.5m
Dinder House, near Wells (Regency House,
river frontage, 21.6 acres): £2.25m
Country Life - June 2005
About the County of Cornwall
(For a list of all the prime country estate properties
sold in Cornwall recently, scroll down to the bottom of
this page)
Newquay, St. Ives, Falmouth, St. Austell,
Bodmin Moor, Lizard Point, Lands End, Redruth, Bude and
Bodmin areas of Cornwall and the surrounding area of Devon.
Cornwall & Devon are packed full
of attractive sea resorts. In Cornwall there are surfer's
paradise areas such as Newquay on the western coast.
In North Devon these include Woolacombe,
Bude, Ilfracombe, Westward Ho! and Minehead.
In South Devon you are again spoilt
for choice with Lyme Regis, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Dawlish,
Teignmouth, Torbay, Salcombe and Dartmouth . Further inland
you will find the Dartmoor National Park and exciting
local communities in towns such as Tiverton, Honiton and
Barnstable.
If watersports are your life, there are many areas just
suited to making this easy and pleasurable – whether
your interests are in sailing, windsurfing or fishing.
There are numerous moorings for your boat/watercraft,
sailing clubs, watersports tuition.
If watersports are your life, there
are many areas just suited to making this easy and pleasurable
– whether your interests are in sailing, windsurfing
or fishing. There are numerous moorings for your boat/watercraft,
sailing clubs and watersports tuition.
With its own culture and language, and
its spectacular scenery and warm climate, Cornwall feels
a world away from the rest of England, and the current
high prices are entirely justified.
Commuting to London from Cornwall is near impossible.
In the past this ensured that houses in the county were
remarkably good value, especially away from the south.
However in recent years, as people increasingly buy second
holiday homes, prices across the southwest have shot up.
As a result Cornwall property is now at the top end of
the price range.
According to the July 2004 Hometrack price index, the
overall average price for a property in Cornwall was £154,400,
compared with £153,300 in Devon and £146,800
in Somerset.
You do get what you pay for, though,
which, in Cornwall, is spectacular scenery and coastline,
better weather, character properties, and a peaceful way
of life.
The Sea's Influence
No inhabitant of Cornwall lives more
than 18 miles from the sea. Maritime trade - and piracy
- may have declined, but Cornwall's coastline ensures
that tourism is one of its two main industries. Rugged
cliffs characterise the north coast, sunlit estuaries
the south, and a third of the coast is in the hands of
the National Trust.
The waters are extremely clean by European
standards, and the excellent surfing breaks are becoming
an increasingly important draw for visitors. Newquay's
new surfing centre is proving popular, and has helped
contribute to the town's newfound status as the capital
of UK surfing.
Food and Drink
The sea, of course, helps contribute
to another important element of Cornish life: food. Seafood
is fresh and delicious, and is championed by the likes
of Rick Stein, whose superb restaurant in Padstow serves
only the finest - and has a waiting list to match.
That other fine Cornwall delicacy, the pasty, is also
ever popular. 'Designed' so that miners could eat a good
meal with dirty hands and then discard the crust, you
can find almost any flavour, from the traditional beef
and potato to the slightly more novel jam and custard.
Malcolm Barnecutt's pasties in Wadebridge come highly
recommended, but you can find good quality bakers anywhere
as long as you look beyond those that cater primarily
for tourists.
Lifestyle
Cornwall's other main industry is agriculture:
small family farms still prevail, as the rolling landscape
is not suited to large-scale farming. Beef and sheep farming
are most common, while since the foot and mouth crisis
crops such as oilseed rape and maize have become more
prevalent.
Since the 18th century, artists have
been attracted to Cornwall for its light and rugged beauty.
Artists such as Norman Garstin, Barbara Hepworth and Bernard
Leach have all sought inspiration in Cornwall, and there
are many excellent studios and galleries in most towns.
Eden Project
One of the main draws for tourism in Cornwall is the extraordinary
Eden Project. Consisting of the world's largest geodesic
domes, the Project brings together a spectacular array
of plants from all over the world, separated into two
biospheres, the Humid Tropical Biome, featuring a jungle
environment, and the Warm Temperate Biome, including Mediterranean,
South African and Californian plant species. The success
of the Eden Project has also had a positive knock-on effect
on businesses in the surrounding area as well as the rest
of the county.
Cornwall really is a world apart from
the rest of Britain, with a different climate, a different
language - that can still be heard in some areas - and
a different lifestyle, and there can be no doubt that
the high property prices are entirely justified.
Property Market
The southwest of England, especially
Cornwall, has been at the forefront of the property boom
over recent years. According to Colin Benney, Manager
at Stratton Creber Estate Agents in Truro, prices have
gone up by about 50% in this time.
Although the first six months of 2004
were very active, along with the rest of the country,
the Cornish market has failed to pick up after the usual
Summer lull: 'In my view prices are levelling out as supply
comes more into balance with demand. It's a tougher market,
with fewer transactions, but without the panic buying
we were seeing earlier on in the year,' said Mr Benney.
Major towns
Penzance, Falmouth, St Ives, Truro, St Austell, Fowey,
Par, Newquay, Bodmin, Bude, Launceston.
Transport links
Train: There is a direct, regular train from London Paddington
to Penzance. The journey takes around 5 hours.
Plane: There are now regular, cheap
Ryan Air flights from London Stansted to Newquay airport,
which have no doubt helped Cornwall more attractive to
second homebuyers. The journey takes just over one hour.
Other operators also run flights from around the UK.
Car: Penzance is 283 miles from central
London, via the M4, M5 and A30. St Austell is 265 miles.
Public schools
Duchy Grammar School, Truro (01872 862289). Co-educational,
day and boarding, age range 3-18. Inter-denominational.
St Joseph's School, Launceston (01566
772988). Girls aged 4-16, boys 4-11. Day and boarding.
Interdenominational.
St Petroc's School, Bude (01288 352876).
Co-educational preparatory school, age range 3-14. Day
and boarding. Church of England.
Bolitho School, Penzance (01736 363271).
Day and boarding. Co- educational. Interdenominational.
www.bolitho.cornwall.sch.uk
The Truro School, Truro (01872 272763).
Co-educational, day and boarding, age range 3-18. Methodist.
www.truroschool.com
Truro High School for Girls (01872 272830).
Day and boarding, age range 3-18. Girls only (with boys
allowed age 3- 5). Anglican. www.trurohigh.co.uk
Leisure
Yacht clubs: the Royal Torbay and the Royal Cornwall,
Falmouth.
Hunting: the East Cornwall, North Cornwall,
South Cornwall, Western and Four Burrow. World-class surfing
at Newquay. Royal Cornwall Show held annually on its own
ground at Wadebridge.
Fishing: rivers Camel, Fal, Fowey, Lyd
and Tamar.
Notable golfcourses: Newquay, Rock and
Padstow.
THE BEST CORNWALL FARM HOUSES FOR
SALE IN 2004
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)
Trewarthenick Estate, Tregony, Truro
(1737 acre estate, 2.5 miles frontage on River Fal, grounds
by Repton): £9m
Country Life - June 2005
About the County of Devon
(For a list of all the prime country estate properties
sold in Devon recently, scroll down to the bottom of this
page)
Devon is packed full of attractive sea
resorts.
In North Devon these include Woolacombe,
Bude, Ilfracombe, Westward Ho! and Minehead.
In South Devon you are again spoilt
for choice with Lyme Regis, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Dawlish,
Teignmouth, Torbay, Salcombe and Dartmouth . Further inland
you will find the Dartmoor National Park and exciting
local communities in towns such as Tiverton, Honiton and
Barnstable.
If watersports are your life, there
are many areas just suited to making this easy and pleasurable
– whether your interests are in sailing, windsurfing
or fishing. There are numerous moorings for your boat/watercraft,
sailing clubs, watersports tuition.
If watersports are your life, there
are many areas just suited to making this easy and pleasurable
– whether your interests are in sailing, windsurfing
or fishing. There are numerous moorings for your boat/watercraft,
sailing clubs and watersports tuition.
Devon has some excellent road links
to London through the much improved A303 and M5.
This area offers a mix of breath-taking
coastline, classic English inland landscapes, cosmopolitan
and market towns as well as quaint chocolate box villages.
The coastal area ranges from dramatic
cliffs to the numerous safe sandy beaches for which this
area is famous. Inland you will find rolling downlands,
hidden valleys and woodland.
The houses that command the highest
premiums in Devon are close to Exeter, while the north
of the county is less developed and less easily accessible
from London, hence prices are lower.
Together with neighbouring Cornwall, Devon has the mildest
climate in England; it is also the only other county to
boast both an Atlantic and a Channel coast. No part of
Devon is further than 25 miles from the sea, boosting
the tourist industry.
The county's other main source of income is agriculture,
in particular dairy farming, favoured by the high rainfall
and long grass-growing season.
Exmoor and Dartmoor attract many visitors,
and Dartmoor especially is a popular place to live. Yet
the houses that command the highest premiums in Devon
are close to Exeter on the south coast, particularly along
the Exe estuary and further east to Sidmouth. Also popular
is the South Hams, round Dartmouth, Salcombe and Totnes.
The north of the county is less developed
and less easily accessible from London, hence prices are
lower. Houses are typically built of stone with slate
roofs; Devon longhouses of stone or cob are particularly
in demand.
Major towns
Plymouth, Paignton, Torquay, Exeter,
Exmouth, Dartmouth, Sidmouth, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple,
Salcombe, Ilfracombe.
Transport links
Train: Paddington to Plymouth three
hours, £51.10 for a Saver return. Paddington
to Exeter two hours, Saver return £47.20.Plane:
Gatwick to Plymouth 1hr 5min direct, from £99
return (including a Saturday night stay) with British
Airways.Car: Plymouth is 221 miles from central London,
via the M4, M5 and A38; Exeter is 174 miles, via the M4
and M5.
Public schools
West Buckland School, Barnstaple (01598
760281). Co-educational, age range 11-18, day and boarding.
Associated preparatory school. www.westbuckland.devon.sch.uk
Shebbear College, Beaworthy (01409 281228).
Co-educational, age range 3-18, day and boarding. www.shebbearcollege.co.uk
Grenville College, Bideford (01237 472212).
Co-educational, age range 3-18, day and boarding. www.grenville.devon.sch.uk
Bramdean Grammar School, Exeter (01392
273387). Co- educational, age range 11-18, day and boarding.
Associated preparatory school. www.bramdeanschool.co.uk
Exeter School (01392 273679). Co- educational,
age range 7-18, day. www.exeterschool.devon.sch.uk
The Maynard School, Exeter (01392 273417).
Girls only, ages 7-18, day. www.maynard.co.uk
Plymouth College (01752 203300). Co-
educational, age range 7-18, day and boarding. www.plymouthcollege.com
Kelly College, Tavistock (01822 612010).
Co-educational, age range 11-18, day and boarding. Associated
preparatory school. www.kellycollege.com
Blundell's School, Tiverton (01884 252543).
Co-educational, age range 13-18, day and boarding. www.blundells.org
Leisure
Golf courses: Saunton, Braunton (01271
812436). Royal North Devon, Westward Ho! (01237 473824).
Hunts: the Tiverton, the Dartmoor, the
South Devon, the Spooners and West Dartmoor, the East
Devon, the Stevenstone, the Lamerton, the Eggesford, the
Dulverton East, the Dulverton West and the Tetcott.
Staghounds: the Tiverton, the Devon
and Somerset.
Yacht clubs: the North Devon Yacht Club,
the Brixham Yacht Club, the Royal Dart Yacht Club, the
Royal Western Yacht Club of England, the Island Cruising
Club at Salcombe and the Royal Torbay Yacht Club.
Fishing: rivers Exe, Otter, Teign, Taw
and Torridge.
THE BEST DEVON FARM HOUSES FOR SALE
IN 2004
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)
Endsleigh Estate, near Tavistock ('bijou'
country estate): £3.25m
Gurrow Point, Dartmouth (contemporary
7 bed house, frontage to River Dart, 78.5 acres): £3m
Morebath Manor, Bampton (Grade II, 9
beds, 21 acres): £2m
Country Life - June 2005
About the County of Dorset
(For a list of all the prime country estate properties
sold in Dorset recently, scroll down to the bottom of
this page)
Sandbanks, Poole, Charmouth, Weymouth,
Dorchester, Wimborne, Colehill, Wareham, Swanage, Studland,
Lulworth, Burton Bradstock, Sherborne, Beaminster and
Bournemouth Areas of Dorset.
Dorset divides into three separate areas.
To the north of the county you have an area from Shaftesbury
across to Sherborne in the Blackmore Vale, downland of
Cranborne Chase. In the south-east there is the more urban
area around Bournemouth and Poole. To the west, along
the coast through Dorchester and Bridport, is the very
rural area of West Dorset.
The transport to North Dorset is quite
good. Shaftesbury is about 2 hours from London by the
M3 and A303 and the line operated by South West trains
through Salisbury is quite accessible via Waterloo, though
it is not a fast train with the line from Salisbury to
Yeovil Junction being single track for some sections.
The area around Bournemouth is considerably
better served by rail and road with fast trains via Southampton
and the M3 and M27 motorways.
West Dorset is a 3 hour drive from London
and with poor roads once you get off the M27 or the A303.
The trains are slow and journey times about the same as
for driving.
North Dorset is now a popular area for
weekenders and for those now able to use technology to
work at home one or more days a week. The combination
of reasonable transport and beautiful countryside has
forced prices up rapidly over the last few years. Particularly
popular is Cranborne Chase and Shaftesbury as well as
the very pretty country around Sherborne. The Blackmore
Vale tends to be slightly less popular as there are fewer
quality houses and some of the countryside is quite flat.
Having said that, there is strong demand for good farmhouses
in that area.
From a country house market point of
view, south-east Dorset is rather too urbanised to be
very popular. Bournemouth and Poole are sprawling urban
areas with everything that goes with it. There is an ever
increasing cosmopolitan feel to Sandbanks and the adjoining
areas of Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs and Lilliput as
awareness increases of the improved lifestyle that can
be achieved through living here. Much of the countryside
has some of the characteristics of the New Forest to the
east – heathland with acidic soil.
West Dorset is one of the most rural
areas of southern England. There are no major roads, railway
lines or airports and no commercial centre of any size.
The coast is very beautiful from the Isle of Purbeck westwards
but, like most beauty spots, it tends to be affected by
tourists in the summer months. The countryside inland
is lovely, with pretty villages and relatively undisturbed
local life – the limited transport to and from London
keeping prices down and commuters away.
Dorset has a wide range of country houses,
and the peace of the place appeals to many families, not
least because of the quality of schooling available.
There are no motorways in Dorset, as
residents are fond of saying, and a large proportion of
the county is made up of designated areas of outstanding
beauty. No wonder people from London and the increasingly
overstretched home counties are looking south and west.
Dorset is satisfyingly remote for many,
but at the same time a more reasonable journey to the
capital, making it all the more attractive to those who
still maintain links to London.
The main towns are Sherborne, Wimborne
and Dorchester, although most of the county, and its character,
is to made up of innumerable villages and small towns
which are peppered throughout the landscape.
Dorset can be divided into three areas:
the vales of the west and north-west; the chalk uplands
of the centre; and the marshes of the east and south-east.
The coast, along the English Channel, has spectacular
sights such as Lulworth Cove and Portland Bill.
Many families have lived in Dorset for
generations, and the Elizabethan manor houses for which
the county is famous are rare and expensive. There are,
however, many good manor houses, old rectories and farmhouses
to be found, particularly in the north and west.
Building stone is abundant and good,
and includes Portland stone and Purbeck stone to the south
of the county. The most expensive houses in Dorset are
in Bournemouth and Poole, particularly on the Sandbanks
Peninsula in Poole Harbour. Sea Views are always a bonus.
However, prices throughout the county
are generally high, as roads and trains to London are
fairly good; the same effect is seen to the north of the
county, close to the A303. Further west prices were lower,
but now compete with the rest of the county, and houses
in or near towns and villages such as Sherborne and Cerne
Abbas still command a premium.
Simon Jones from Savills in Wimbourne
says: Things have changed a little bit in Dorset, but
there are still good houses coming onto the market. A
pretty house in a good location will always be popular.
Prices have come down a little bit on last year, but for
the right property, prices are still very competitive.'
In the West, Beaminster and Sherborne
are popular, as is the stretch between Wimborne and Salisbury
and Shaftsbury as well.
Many houses are being bought as main
residences for families where the father works in London
while the mother stays in the county during the week,
keeping on a house in the capital which they later sell
to look for a farmhouse in the county.
One of the reasons it is so popular
with families is that schooling in Dorset is well known
for being at an extremely high standard.
'Demand for good country houses has
increased amongst people who can work from home, or only
need to be on London for a couple of days a week,' continues
Mr Jones. 'And this combined with the second homes market
and the growing retirement market led to rocketing prices
between 2003-2004.
'These high prices have been tempered
slightly by the overall market performance this year,
but a good house in the right place will still command
a high price. Nearby roads, though, can be a huge disincentive
– when people move to an area for peace and quiet,
road noise puts people off considerably,' he continued.
Simon Barker from Knight Frank added:
'In my opinion prices have not fallen but they have hardened.
We did have a pretty good rise before this though, and
what you see here is only what you will see in the rest
of the country.
'There is absolutely no question that
there is still very good demand for a decent house properly
priced,' he stresses.
Charlie Bladon from Jackson-Stops &
Staff in Sherborne agrees: 'The key when selling is to
get the price right. There are less buyers but the ones
who are looking are extremely serious, which is unusual
for this time of year when normally we have a lot of prospective
buyers just looking around, not set on a purchase.'
Major towns
Dorchester, Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth,
Christchurch, Blandford Forum, Sherborne, Beaminster,
Bridport, Lyme Regis, Shaftesbury.
Transport links
Train: Waterloo to Bournemouth 1hr 40min;
Waterloo to Sherborne, 2hr.
Car: Bournemouth is 110 miles from central
London, via the M3; Sherborne, 125 miles, via the M3 and
A303.
Public schools
Bryanston School, Blandford Forum (01258
452411). Co-educational, age range 13-18, day and boarding.
www.bryanston.co.uk
Clayesmore School, Iwerne Minster (01747
812122). Co-educational, age range 13-18, day and boarding.
Associated preparatory school. www.clayesmore.net
Milton Abbey School, Blandford Forum
(01258 880484). Boys only, age range 13-18, day and boarding.
www.miltonabbey.co.uk
Talbot Heath, Bournemouth (01202 761881).
Girls only, age range 3-18, day and boarding. www.talbotheath.org
Sherborne School (01935 812249). Boys
only, age range 13-18, boarding. Associated preparatory
school. www.sherborne.org
Sherborne School for Girls (01935 812245).
Girls only, age range 12-18, day and boarding. www.sherborne.com
Canford School, Wimborne (01202 841254).
Co- educational, age range 13-18, day and boarding. www.canford.com
Leisure
Golf courses: Came Down, Dorchester
(01305 812531); Isle of Purbeck, Studland (01929 450361);
Lyme Regis (01297 442963); Sherborne, (01935 812 475)
Yacht clubs: the Lilliput Sailing Club,
Poole; the Parkstone Yacht Club, Poole; Poole Harbour
Yacht Club; the Royal Dorset Yacht Club, Weymouth.
Hunts: the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale,
the Portman, the Cattistock and the South Dorset.
Fishing: rivers Frome, Piddle and Stour.
THE BEST DORSET FARM HOUSES FOR SALE IN 2004
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)
Chedington Court, near Beaminster (Grade
II Jacobean mansion, 17.78 acres): £7.175m
Country Life - June 2005
About the County of Hampshire &
The Isle of Wight
(For a list of all the prime country estate properties
sold in Hampshire recently, scroll down to the bottom
of this page)
Winchester, Southampton, Basingstoke,
Hamble, Portsmouth, Fareham and The New Forest Areas of
Hampshire and The Isle of Wight.
Hampshire has a mixture of very pretty
countryside and good rail links to Waterloo station and
the City of London – with correspondingly high property
values.
The county divides into the commuting
areas in the north, centred on the characterless town
of Basingstoke. South and west of Basingstoke is some
beautiful countryside and villages, including the famous
trout rivers, the Test and Itchen with the historic and
charming city of Winchester in the centre of the county.
In the south is the conurbation of Southampton, Fareham
and Portsmouth served by the M27 motorway. To the west
is the New Forest, a large protected area of heathland
and woodland popular for walking and riding with the town
of Lymington and the Beaulieu river providing some good
sailing facilities. On the eastern border of the county
is the market town of Petersfield, which is close to the
beautiful unspoilt South Downs of West Sussex.
Communications are excellent. The fast
trains from Basingstoke to Waterloo take approximately
45 minutes and from Winchester approximately 60 minutes.
The M3 motorway connects Basingstoke, Winchester and Southampton
to London and provides access to the West Country via
the A303 trunk road and the south coast via the M27 motorway.
Petersfield is connected to south London by the A3 dual
carriageway and trains to Waterloo, which take approximately
70 minutes.
Hampshire is renowned for its private
schools. In particular, Winchester has a good choice of
pre-prep, prep and public schools, Winchester College
and St Swithun’s Girls School being the best known.
The country house market in Hampshire
is particularly popular for those moving out of London
with young families looking for commuting facilities and
good schools. The best commuting areas are south of Basingstoke
to the charming small market town of Alresford and west
towards the town of Andover. Property values are similar
around Winchester but south of the M27 it is densely populated
and difficult to commute to London and consequently cheaper.
The New Forest is popular with local buyers working in
Southampton and weekenders from London attracted by the
sailing. It is considered by most buyers to be too far
to commute to London.
'Hampshire has something almost everybody
wants,' says Ed Cunningham, from FPD Savills. But he is
not just talking about proximity to London, he is talking
about the varied nature of much of the county. From the
horse-lovers' New Forest to the beaches for sailing and
watersports, Hampshire for those who live there is more
than just a convenient commute.
With developing centres such as Portsmouth
and Southampton and a rapidly expanding airport (Southampton
International), fantastic schools, sailing, riding and
plenty of Michelin starred restaurants, Hampshire is totally
self sufficient, and has the advantage of being lived-in
all year round, rather than suffering from the seasonal
fluctuations which mark out areas made up mostly of second
homes.
For many reasons, entering the Hampshire
property market is extremely difficult. Mark Potter, from
Knight Frank's Basingstoke office claims that in quintessential
Hampshire villages such as Upton Gray, it is virtually
impossible to buy a house. 'The Hampshire property market
is on fire,' says Potter, 'Demand is great and supply
is very short'.
Potter claims the area surrounding Basingstoke
is one of the most sought after in the county. 'You can
be in London in 42 minutes and many of the nice houses
are within only 10 or 15 minutes of train stations and
good schools', he says. According to Potter Odium, Dummer,
Monk Sherborne and Upton Gray are the prettiest villages,
'People forget Watership Down is in Hampshire,' he comments.
Only houses that are not correctly priced
or have a major problem (railways, pylons, roads) stick
on the market, the rest sell competitively.
However, taking a different tack, education, education,
education is the mantra of Mr Cunningham at Savills in
Winchester: 'We see lots of families looking to move to
the area who come down, and see which of the schools they
can get their children into, and then start to look for
a house in that area,' he says.
And any parents looking to find good
schools are spoilt for choice in terms of quality, if
a little pushed when it comes to getting all the children
accepted: places are highly prized. And rightly so, as
many of these are considered to be amongst the finest
schools in the country.
Apart from schools, however, there are
other differences in area and in atmosphere which make
the difference between a high price and an extremely high
price, points out Mr Cunningham, and much of this has
to do with who owns the land near a property.
Hampshire now commands such high prices
for land that many landowners are tempted to sell when
in need of a quick cash injection, and therefore areas
which are owned by large estates, or which are protected
from development are considered to be more desirable in
what can feel like a crowded county. In short, people
are willing to pay for what they know will be seclusion,
rather than worrying about new builds encroaching on a
peaceful community without warning.
Interestingly some of the highest prices
for Hampshire properties recently are being paid in the
New Forest area, where a London commute is not really
an option, explains George Hyde of Knight Frank: 'It is
an extremely nice area with no big roads and Lymington
is a very nice centre,' he points out.
The New Forest was traditionally the
haunt of the extremely horsey, or those who wanted a second
home, rather than a primary residence, but since it won
National Park status, the Forest is becoming more popular
with those who do not have to be in London for every single
working day of the week, and who admire the wildlife and
landscape such a place provides, even if the tourists
in summertime can be somewhat taxing.
But although hotspots will come and
go in Hampshire, the one thing you can be sure of is that
good property will be in high demand when it comes onto
the market, a fact reflected in the prices. 'We always
say nothing is recession proof,' says Mr Cunningham, 'But
we are about as close as it gets!'
The advice from most agents is that
Hampshire is a county where you will pay a higher price
on a property than you would in any of the neighbouring
counties, merely because it is Hampshire. Therefore the
most important thing is to understand the area and surroundings
you buy in, and find out the potential for development,
to ensure you get value for your money - once you've found
those crucial school places, of course.
Major towns
Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke,
Winchester, Alton, Andover, Farnborough, Stockbridge,
Lymington, Gosport; (Isle of Wight) Newport, Cowes, Ryde.
Transport links
Train: Waterloo to Southampton 1hr 10min;
to Portsmouth 1hr 30min; to Basingstoke 45min.
Car: Southampton is 80 miles and Basingstoke
48 miles from central London via the M3; Portsmouth is
74 miles via the A3(M) and A3.
Public schools
Bedales School, Petersfield (01730 300100).
Co-educational, age range 3-18, day and boarding. Associated
preparatory school. www.bedales.org.uk
King Edward VI School, Southampton (01703
704561). Co-educational, age range 11-18, day. www.kes.hants.sch.uk
The Pilgrims' School, Winchester (01962
854189). Boys only, age range 7-13, day and boarding.
www.pilgrims-school.co.uk
Portsmouth High School (01705 826714).
Girls only, age range 4-18, day. www.pdst.net/portsmouthhigh
St Swithun's School, Winchester (01962
861316). Girls only, age range 8-18 (boys and girls, 3-8),
day and boarding. www.stswithuns.com
St Mary's College, Southampton (01703
671267). Co- educational, age range 11-18, day. www.stmaryscollege.co.uk
The Portsmouth Grammar School (01705
819125). Co-educational, age range 4-18, day. www.pgs.co.uk
Winchester College (01962 854328). Boys
only, age range 13-18, day and boarding. www.winchestercollege.org
Leisure
Golf courses: Royal Winchester (01962
852462).
Hunts: the Hampshire (HH), Mr Goschen's,
the Hursley Hambledon, the Isle of Wight and the New Forest.
Staghounds: the New Forest.
Yachting clubs: the Royal Southampton,
Ocean, Royal Solent, Royal Southern and Royal Lymington
Yacht Clubs; (Isle of Wight) Island Sailing Club, Cowes
Corinthian, Royal Corinthian, Royal London and Royal Victoria
Yacht Clubs and the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Fishing: rivers Avon, Bourne, Itchen
and Test.
THE BEST HAMPSHIRE FARM HOUSES FOR SALE IN 2004
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)
Deane House, Basingstoke (classic Georgian):
£6.5m
Moundsmere, Preston Candover (14 bedroom
house, 83 acres): £6m
South Hall House, Preston Candover (classic
Georgian house): £5m
Morestead Manor, Twyford (Grade 11*
stabling, 51.5 acres): £2.8m
Peake Farm, Warnford, Winchester (690
acre estate, 5 houses): £4.815m
Cawley Manor, Kimpton (neo-Georgian
house): £2.9m
Dawn House, Winchester (Grade II 6 bedroom
house): £2m
Hall Farm, Bentworth, Alton (6 bedroom
house, 4.8 acres): £2.5m
Fairfields, Godshill, Isle of Wight
(Grade II, 17.5 acres): £2.5m
Source: Country Life
About The New Forest National Park
(For a list of all the prime country estate properties
sold in the New Forest recently, scroll down to the bottom
of this page)
Sway, Boldre, Thorney Hill, Beaulieu,
Norleywood, Lymington, Burley, Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst
area of The New Forest National Park in Hampshire.
To live in the New Forest is a pure
delight, the envy of all that see it.
The whole area is heavily restricted
regarding further development, which is a bonus for those
who make it their home.
The New Forest was traditionally the
haunt of the extremely horsey, or those who wanted a second
home, rather than a primary residence, but since it won
National Park status, the Forest is becoming more popular
with those who do not have to be in London for every single
working day of the week, and who admire the wildlife and
landscape such a place provides, even if the tourists
in summertime can be somewhat taxing.
There is the benefit of many idyllic
villages with beautiful countryside where you can relax
and enjoy the peacefulness of the truly wonderful forest
surroundings. In particular Lyndhurst, Burley, Brockenhurst,
Lymington and Beaulieu are picturesque New Forest.
Forest ponies and livestock ramble free
and with most gardens backing directly onto the Forest,
this presents a conversation over the fence with a difference!
Pony trekking, horse riding and forest rambling are all
available to be freely enjoyed here.
The picturesque village of Beaulieu,
close to Lymington and Lyndhurst at the head of the Beaulieu
River, might best be described as "the Historic Heart
of the New forest", its origins date back to the
13th century and the days of King John. No other place
in the forest can match Beaulieu for historic interest.
The village grew up around Beaulieu
Abbey, founded in 1204 by Cistercian Monks on land given
to them by King John, who had a royal hunting lodge at
Beaulieu - Bellus Locus Regis, the beautiful place of
the King - and the monks who came over from CITEAUX in
France re-christened it in their own tongue `Beaulieu'
but it came to be pronounced "Bu-Lee" as it
is still today.
The abbey thrived until 1538 when, during
the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Henry VIII ordered
the destruction of the religious buildings beyond the
possibility of restoration. Some buildings which could
be put to secular use were allowed to remain.
Beaulieu passed into the ownership of
the present Lord Montagu's ancestor Sir Thomas Wriothesley
and has been the ancestral home of the Montagu Family
ever since, and remains thus to this day.
The 8,000 acre estate has been in the
ownership of the Montagu Family for nearly 500 years.
The present Lord Montagu of Beaulieu is a well known motoring
personality who founded Britain's National motor Museum,
internationally recognised as one of the finest in the
world.
The museum holds over 300 exhibits and
include world class examples of automotive interest, from
early examples of motoring from the 1890's to legendary
motor vehicles from all over the world, including record
breakers such as " Bluebird" and "Golden
Arrow"
In the village of Beaulieu the visitor
can find many attractions and places to visit, the gently
sloping High street has an interesting variety of village
stores, ranging from specialist gift and chocolate shops
to art and craft.
Beaulieu River provides an ideal location for a leisurely
stroll or a place to relax beside for a picnic.
This large and attractive village lying
just a few miles south of Lyndhurst, is one of the outstanding
locations of the forest, making an ideal spot to stop
and enjoy a walk or picnic, and watch the ponies and other
animals graze around you.
Brockenhurst, meaning "badgers
home" in Celtic, is one of the largest villages in
the New Forest. It still retains an air of old world charm.
it is here the ponies, donkeys and cows roam freely, and
drink from the watersplash at the bottom of the main street
on their way to graze the open heathland and ancient woods
which surround the village.
Easily accessible by road and inter-city
rail service, Brockenhurst is within a few miles of the
sea and the heart of the forest is only a few minutes
walk away.
The village is well known for a diversity
of shops, tea rooms, pubs and high quality restaurants.
There are also forest tours with wagon and horses, forest
walks, of varying lengths, some waymarked with explanatory
notes to help visitors. Every year there is a village
fête on the Bank Holiday Monday in August.
Many parts of the forest, hidden to the motorist are easily
accessible by bicycle on designated gravel tracks, horse
riding is another activity well catered for by the town,
local riding establishments cater for all ages and abilities.
In Late July The New Forest show takes
place in New Park just a few minutes drive from the centre
of the village.
Buckler's Hard was built in the 18th
century as a ship building village community. The village
played host to the naval dockyard in the late 18th century
and many famous warships from the era were built in the
village using timber from the Forest.
The most famous boats built here were
Lord Nelson's Agamemnon and HMS illustrious. The original
shipbuilder's cottages still remain and now act as a maritime
museum. This is well worth visiting as the museum offers
an insight into the life and times of the naval dockyard
and the village community, and features many interesting
naval artifacts.
Burley: Set deep in the Forest to the west of Brockenhurst,
this village is extremely popular with a wealth of tea
rooms, gift shops, art galleries and a Pick Your Own Farm.
Burley features everything you would expect from a traditional,
old, New Forest village.
When in Burley do not be surprised to
see ponies and cattle roaming freely around the village,
picturesque thatched cottages tucked away in unexpected
places help conjure up how life was in the past. Burley
has remained untouched by time, steeped in old customs
and history, enabling visitors to unwind and enjoy its
tranquil simplicity.
Outside the village miles of open heathland provide good
walking, cycling and riding. Burley was a famous centre
for smuggling and is renowned for its association with
witches, both ancient and modern.
For some Lyndhurst is just a thoroughfare
for the journey to Southampton, but if those people driving
through stopped in the village they would discover just
how much it has to offer.
Lyndhurst has been the "Capital"
of the Forest area since William the Conqueror established
the area as a royal hunting ground in 1079, and has been
visited by Kings and Queens throughout the centuries who
came to stay at the Royal Manor.
A must for any visitor to Lyndhurst
is the New Forest Museum, an unique guide into the Forest's
history and heritage. The museum details the development
of the Forest since its creation by William the Conqueror,
and provides a first-hand exhibition of life and work
in the Forest and demonstrates the best the Forest has
to offer.
Lyndhurst which offers the visitor a
wide range of shops, both high street names and those
exclusive to the village, popular with those seeking that
special souvenir of their visit to the Forest. And naturally
there is a wide range of tea rooms pubs cafes and restaurants
to discover.
Lymington is a bustling, colourful town
with lots to see and do. Its Georgian High Street is the
venue for a well-known street-market every Saturday morning.
This is the busiest time for the town, and the popular
market boasts a range of stalls selling everything from
local fine foods to craftwork and antiques. Visitors can
enjoy the hustle and bustle of this unique shopping experience,
where you can browse at your leisure. The high street
also offers an extensive range of shops, some very familiar,
others as unique and individual as the town itself. When
weariness sets in, there are many parks, cafés
and restaurants and, of course, pubs in which to relax
and unwind.
The town's many features include a unique
series of cobbled streets leading down to the pretty main
quay area, popular with visitors who wish to sit, relax
and watch the world sail by. Boat trips around the Solent
can be taken from the quayside and private sailing, motor-boating
and fishing trips may be arranged at short notice. For
those wishing to adventure further afield, Yarmouth on
the Isle of Wight is reached by ferry in only 35 minutes,
and caters for both foot passengers and cars.
Other facilities in the town include
a well-equipped leisure centre with heated pool, and the
historic outdoor Roman seawater baths, very popular on
a hot summer's day and only a short walk from the main
quay area.
Fordingbridge is a small country town on the banks of
the River Avon. It was recorded in the Domesday book and
the name has evolved through the years from `Forde' and
`Bridge'.
The first Great Bridge, built in medieval times, is up
stream from the ford and is a major feature of the town
with its seven graceful arches.
Once an industrial town and commercial
centre, Fordingbridge boasted many trades such as brickmaking,
pottery and textiles. It was also noted for its smuggling
and the infamous Captain Diamond, the `Smuggler King'
spent much of his time here in a local hostelry. The town
has developed into a wonderful place for visitors with
its beautiful scenery, nature havens, cycleways and welcoming
people.
Nestling in the Southern edge of the
New Forest, four miles from the coast at Lymington, Sway
is a shining example of a quiet but thriving village community,
renowned for its friendliness and offering a good range
of shops, services, pubs, restaurants and accommodation.
In Victorian times Captain Marryatt
used the surrounding countryside as the backdrop to his
"Children of the New Forest", the somewhat eccentric
Judge Peterson built the 220 foot Sway tower as a celebration
of concrete and St. Luke's Church was established at the
heart of what was then principally a rural community.
The arrival of the railway in the late
1880s opened up new opportunities and the following decades
saw the village expand impressively. Today regular train
services link the village with Dorset and London and all
points North.
Accessibility & Surrounding Areas.
Both Dorset and Hampshire have excellent
road links to London through the much improved M3, M27
and A31 dual carriageway.
The New Forest is well served by regular
daily fast trains from Waterloo with journey times of
approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
There are also good airports at both
Southampton and Bournemouth servicing most Western European
countries and the Canary Islands.
Sailing to France and Spain is comprehensively
served by the main Ferry companies, Brittany Ferries,
P&O Ferries and Condor Ferries from ports at Poole,
Weymouth and Portsmouth. In addition there are regular
ferry services to the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands
of Jersey and Guernsey.
The larger towns such as Southampton
and Winchester offer more urban developments. Southampton
has the benefit of the port and quayside for which you
can spend many hours watching life pass by. Winchester
is a truly beautiful city, a pleasure to live in and around.
Schools
Hordle Walhampton School, Lymington,
Hampshire, SO41 5ZG
01590 627013
Brockenhurst College
(01590) 625555
Leisure
Golf courses: Brockenhurst, Burley
Hunts: the Hampshire (HH), Mr Goschen's,
the Hursley Hambledon, the Isle of Wight and the New Forest.
Staghounds: the New Forest.
Yachting clubs: the Royal Southampton,
Ocean, Royal Solent, Royal Southern and Royal Lymington
Yacht Clubs; (Isle of Wight) Island Sailing Club, Cowes
Corinthian, Royal Corinthian, Royal London and Royal Victoria
Yacht Clubs and the Royal Yacht Squadron.
THE BEST NEW FOREST FARM HOUSES FOR SALE IN 2004/05
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)
The Tukal, Beaulieu, New Forest (Architect
designed, 19,000 sq ft, 12 acres with direct water frontage):
£5m
St Leonards Grange, Bucklers Hard (Grade
II* listed, with Grade 1 Abbey ruins): £2.75m
About the County of Wiltshire
(For a list of all the prime country estate properties
sold in Wiltshire recently, scroll down to the bottom
of this page)
Devizes, Seend, Melksham, Swindon, Salsibury,
Warminster, Salisbury Plain, Burbage, Pewsey, Marlborough,
Wroughton, Highworth, Chippenham, Lacock, Urchfont, Bradford
on Avon, Shrewton, Wilton and the Tisbury area of Wiltshire.
Despite its great landed estates, such
as Wilton and Longleat, Wiltshire still has a proliferation
of family houses, although demand sometimes exceeds supply.
The large county of Wiltshire divides
into two distinct areas – north and south –
with the vast military training area of Salisbury Plain
in the centre.
North Wiltshire is dominated by downland
from the M4 to Salisbury Plain. This area is very rural
with villages situated in the valleys and Marlborough
as an attractive market town. The Vale of Pewsey is particularly
popular with buyers due to its beauty and good train links.
Swindon to the north of the M4 is an
industrial, unattractive town with many "out-of-town"
business parks and factories such as Honda UK. The land
to the north and west of Swindon is uninspiring until
it meets the South Cotswolds at Badminton. The area from
the Downs stretching to the east of Bath is rather built
up. Chippenham, Melksham, Devizes and Calne are the main
urban areas and it is possible to buy a lot of house for
your money here compared with the shires closer to London.
Bradford-on-Avon is an oasis in what is otherwise a lesser
area and is far enough away from RAF Lyneham, home to
the Hercules Squadron, which over-flies much of the area.
North Wiltshire is well served for schools, in particular
Marlborough and St. Mary?s, Calne.
Salisbury Plain can be bleak, particularly
in winter. Much of the Plain is affected by the Ministry
of Defence who regularly hold exercises over several days.
The noise from these military exercises and the garrisons
in the valleys dampens property prices in the area.
There are mainline stations into London
Paddington at Pewsey (approximately 60 minutes), Swindon
(approximately 60 minutes), Bath (approximately 90 minutes)
and Chippenham (approximately 75 minutes). The M4 motorway
runs through north Wiltshire and offers accessibility
to London in less than 2 hours.
South Wiltshire is a small but very
popular area which is bordered to the north by the Plain,
to the east by Salisbury itself and running southwestwards
towards Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum and the Dorset border.
The landscape changes dramatically to
the south of the Plain with pretty wooded chalk stream
valleys and stone villages. The main valleys running through
south Wiltshire are the Woodford Valley to the north of
Salisbury, the Wylye Valley running to the north-west,
the Nadder Valley running due west and the Chalke Valley
which provides dramatic scenery as it runs south-westwards
into Cranborne Chase.
South Wiltshire is a great draw for
second homeowners, being just on the fringe of reasonable
commuting distance from London. It is also popular with
those who are able to work from home for part of the week,
and the good schools in Salisbury and around Shaftesbury
have led to an influx of those moving full time to the
area.
There are mainline stations into London
Waterloo at Salisbury (approximately 90 minutes) and Tisbury
(approximately 110 minutes). The majority of the A303,
which joins the M3 west of Basingstoke, is dual carriageway
and it is possible to reach central London from south
Wiltshire by car in under 2 hours.
Despite its great landed estates, which
include Wilton and Longleat, Wiltshire still has a proliferation
of good family houses, although demand sometimes exceeds
supply. Many of the county's manor houses, farmhouses
and rectories are pre-Victorian.
It is only this century that Wiltshire's
popularity has surged. This is largely thanks to good
communications to London, although the county's appealing
landscapes have played a part. Wiltshire remains predominantly
rural, and Swindon is its only major town. Agriculture
is still important, but new, high-tech industries are
now springing up along the M4 corridor.
The county's wide, open spaces, such
as Salisbury Plain - the largest expanse of chalk grassland
in England - contrast with secluded river valleys; to
the north-west of the county are hills overlaid with clay.
Wiltshire also is rich in prehistoric
sites, from Avebury and Silbury Hill in the north to Stonehenge
in the south.
Ease of access to London means that
house prices are buoyant. The most popular areas are those
where road and rail links to the capital are good, such
as close to the M4 in the north and A303 in the south.
Wiltshire's villages and isolated houses
tend to be prettier than its towns, where prices are lower.
Major towns
Swindon, Salisbury, Calne, Chippenham,
Devizes, Trowbridge, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Warminster
and Westbury.
Transport links
Train: Paddington to Swindon 55min;
Paddington to Chippenham, 1hr 10min; Waterloo to Salisbury
1hr 20min.
Car: Swindon is 76 miles from central
London and Chippenham 93 miles, via the M4. Salisbury
is 85 miles, via the M3 and A30.
Public schools
St Mary's School, Calne (01249 815899).
Girls only, age range 11-18. Day and boarding. www.stmaryscalne.wilts.sch.uk/
Dauntsey's School, West Lavington (01380
812446). Co-educational, age range 11-18. Day and boarding.
www.dauntseys.wilts.sch.uk/
Marlborough College (01672 892200).
Co-educational, age range 11-18. Boarding. www.marlboroughcollege.org/
The Godolphin School, Salisbury (01722
333059). Girls only, age range 7-18. Day and boarding.
www.godolphin.org/
Salisbury Cathedral School (01722 322652).
Co-educational, age range 3-13. Day and boarding. www.salisburycathedralschool.com/
Stonar School, Melksham (01225 702309).
Girls only, age range 4-18. Day and boarding. www.stonar.wilts.sch.uk/
Warminster School (01985 213038). Co-educational,
age range 4-18. Day and boarding. www.warminsterschool.org.uk/
Leisure
Golfcourses: Marlborough (01672 512147);
North Wiltshire, Bishops' Cannings (01380 860257); Salisbury
and South Wiltshire, Netherhampton (01722 742645).
Hunts: the Wilton, the South and West
Wiltshire, the Avon Vale and the Tedworth.
Fishing: rivers Kennet, Avon, Wylye
and Nadder.
THE BEST WILTSHIRE FARM HOUSES FOR SALE IN 2004
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)
Pythouse, Tisbury (Grade II* house,
95 acres): £7m
Eastcourt Estate, Malmesbury (Grade
II* Cotswold House, 172 acres): £4.75m
South Wraxall Manor, Bradford-on-Avon
(historic manor, 252 acres): £4.075m
Cowick Farm, Calne (6 bed period house,
483 acres): £3.25m
Corton Manor, Hilmarton (Grade II Manor,
397 acres): £2.7m
Manr House, Kington Langley ('perfect
village house', 4.95 acres): £2.75m
Country Life - June 2005
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