February 2009 – With Valentines Day fast approaching, Hamptons International has put together details of some of its most romantic properties on offer. Idyllic retreats, sumptuous city pads, and cosy cottages are just some of the delightful properties available. The current market is ideal for prospective buyers; and with vendors much more realistic about pricing, homebuyers can pick up a great bargain to boot.
With that in mind, Hamptons International takes a look at ten great Valentine’s homes on the market in London and the Country….
1. Bedfords Farm - Frimley Green, Fleet, Hampshire - £275,000
Romance–ability: Perfect for budding Romeo and Juliet’s as it comes complete with a Minstrels Gallery which runs the entire length of the reception room. Originally part of a larger house, Bedfords Farm has recently been separated and comes to the market as a delightful period detached barn, for the first time. With a wealth of period features, this three bedroom property has enormous charm, with exposed oak and a large inglenook fireplace.
2. The Scrubs, Stroud, Gloucestershire - £665,000
Romance-ability: While the older part of the property, dating from the 1840’s is somewhat unromantically named “Scrubs Bottom”, this Cotswold stone cottage is set in a secluded idyllic setting with fabulous views across the Slad Valley and set within three acres of woodland. The inside has been completely refurbished to suit a contemporary lifestyle, with stripped wooden floors and an abundance of natural light and the property provides a rare opportunity to reside in an area of breathtaking beauty on the Western edge of the Cotswolds.
3. Dollar Street, Cirencester, Gloucester - £675,000
Romance-ability: A beautifully restored 17th Century Grade 11 listed town house set just off the Market Place, with a wonderful history. Formerly tea rooms and featured in a Miss Marple episode and most recently as an Antique shop dealing in fine oak early furniture. This gem of a house is arranged over three floors with a detached two storey annexe to the rear and a cellar accessed via the main reception. Inside, the property is filled with period features including Tudor arched cosy fireplaces, canted oriels window ranges, and exposed chamfered beams.
4. Rose Cottage, Combe, Oxfordshire - £349,950
Romance-ability: This romantic stone cottage can be found in picturesque Combe – one of Oxfordshire’s most sought after villages. Rose Cottage has three bedrooms and dates back to the 1700’s and with easy access to Oxford and central London, the cottage - complete with stunning inglenook fireplace in the sitting room with a wood burning stove and flagstone floors. It also boasts a delightful kitchen/breakfast room with French doors opening out to the patio – would make a wonderful weekend retreat.
5. The Piper Building, London, SW6 - £475,000
Romance-ability: Offering the best in London living, this spectacular warehouse style apartment is sumptuously decorated throughout. With two bedrooms, a mezzanine and balcony, as well as gym use for the more active resident, it is also located in highly sought after Fulham – with easy access to an array of bars and restaurants.
6. Naldrets Farm, Pulborough, West Sussex - £850,000
Romance-ability: With inviting wisteria clad elevations, this fine period property has 16th century origins, and diamond paned leaded windows under a clay tiled roof. It has exposed timbers throughout and inglenook fireplaces in both reception rooms. The cottage is delightfully secluded and nature lovers will revel in the nearby beautiful walks and rides. The property also benefits from a separate 3-bay fine period timber barn which lies adjacent to the entrance drive and which has been sympathetically renovated to provide additional two bedroom accommodation – for those occasions when you might wish for others to visit.
7. Nordrach House, Bath - £1,500,000
Romance-ability: The imposing property has a fascinating history and stands in delightful grounds that Jane Austen enthusiasts will love 'taking a turn' around. With stone elevations with dressed stone quoins built in 1860, its interiors are no less elegant and features include superb fireplaces, ceiling cornice, dado and Gothic windows. In an area of outstanding natural beauty, with gorgeous unspoilt scenery surrounding it, Nordrach House has a timeless quality where imaginative residents can imagine themselves part of centuries gone by while enjoying all its sumptuous splendour.
8. Rectory Lane, Woodmansterne, Surrey - £875, 000
Romance-ability: A fascinating property full of character and built in 1836, which served as the village school for 100 years. The old Grade 11 listed grand hall now serves as a fantastic room which is perfect for entertaining and currently houses a full size snooker table and bar. Stairs lead up to a galleried landing overlooking the grand hall.
9. Cheyne Court, London, SW3 - £595, 000
Romance-ability: An outstanding ground floor apartment which has been meticulously and sumptuously designed by Richard Adams – an interior designer. Vibrant decadent colours have been used throughout and the building is ideally located for city use, within a portered Victorian mansion block in Old Chelsea.
10. Burnley Stoke Row, Henley - £595,000
Romance-ability: A truly idyllic property with neat hedge rows and a white picket fence with cosy fireplaces to curl up in front of. With three bedrooms, this detached home has a Rayburn stove in the kitchen that radiates warmth throughout the whole property and the main bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and its own en-suite shower. With easy access to the M40 and M4 motorways, drivers can also park in the driveway, with parking that’s made for two.
For further information or examples of properties/images to support the above please contact:
Lucy Gaynor, PR Manager,
020 7589 9775,
gaynorl@hamptons-int.com