Living close to a major sporting venue can be a dream come true for a sports fan, enabling them to be close to their favourite team or perfect venue.
There are other benefits too. Depending on the sport, venues are often located in areas of outstanding natural beauty, so offer wonderful views and an attractive location. Think of the golf courses played as part of The Open, links courses close to the sea around the UK.
Another potential benefit is to be able to rent out your property on an occasional basis. Homeowners in SW19, Wimbledon, London, can charge premium rents if they are able to go away for a few weeks each year at the end of June when the world of tennis takes over their postcode.
Variety of environments
Homes close to sporting venues can be situated in all types of areas. Traditionally, football stadiums were often built close or in the middle of residential streets. In the last 25 years many famous teams have moved to new grounds away from urban centres but there are still many stadiums that are surrounded by streets, like Fratton Park in Portsmouth, parks, for instance Everton’s Goodison Park and Liverpool’s Anfield are separated by Stanley Park or even have a pub on every corner, such as Brentford’s Griffin Park.
The two most famous venues for test cricket, The Oval and Lords are both in residential areas, and, as mentioned, so is Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. In motor racing, Silverstone is located in a fairly rural area but Brands Hatch is close to the North Kent and South East London suburbs, just off the M20.
The ‘sport of kings,’ horse racing, is by its nature held in rural locations, or in the case of Goodwood, West Sussex (which also hosts motor racing events, cricket and shooting) set in a former hunting lodge and owned by Dukes of Richmond & Lennox for over 300 years.
Transport links
Most property that is close to a famous sporting venue is likely to benefit from good transport links because they are needed to get large numbers of people to the venue, for instance, Wembley has good bus, train and underground links and is close to the M25 to allow for vehicles to get to the stadium relatively easily from all parts of the country. However, this is not always the case, for instance Royal St George’s Golf Course in Sandwich, Kent is only served by slow local trains.
WhatHouse? Has selected four iconic sporting venues that illustrate the variety of locations as well as types of properties that can be had which are located in or around famous sporting venues. All of these developments have been nominated for a variety of awards at the WhatHouse? Awards 2016.
This unique collection of just four substantial detached homes provides luxury living in one of Berkshire’s most desirable locations.
It offers almost 5,000 sq ft of living space over three floors, benefitting from individual design and high specification. This luxury home is designed in a neo-classical style and features oversized front doors and high ceilings to help create a sense of opulence.
It uses classic materials sourced from around the world and is designed by award-winning designer Alexander James Interiors.
The property is close to the Ascot High Street and less than a mile from the famous racecourse at Ascot which hosts the five-day Royal Ascot racing event in June each year where the town comes alive as the racing fraternity, including the Queen, take over the town as it plays host to hundreds of thousands of race-goers and hat wearers (particularly on Ladies Day).
Prices: £2.95m
Englemere, King’s Ride, Ascot (Millgate Homes)
Another slightly more affordable option available in Ascot is this collection of 17 apartments set in 12 acres of landscaped gardens within walking distance of Ascot High Street and the world famous racecourse with its 300-year history.
In the shadow of the racecourse grandstand, the picturesque High Street has many amenities, bars, restaurants and chic clothing stores.
Nearby the neighbouring villages of Sunningdale and Sunninghill have world famous golf courses, stylish boutiques, bijou cafes and tempting delicatessen. Further afield, Windsor, Reading and Camberley offer extensive shopping facilities.
Prices: From £1.4m
Find out more about Millgate Homes ; 01344 206342
Old Trafford (Trafford Housing Trust)
Home to a variety of iconic sporting teams and events, Old Trafford was previously the home to one of the most successful football teams in the world, Manchester United. The new stadium, The Theatre of Dreams is also located in Old Trafford. The site also hosts test cricket matches and prestigious rugby events.
An address that includes Old Trafford in the title would be wonderful to have for a fan of Manchester United and the area has a wealth of sporting history.
The area is currently undergoing a large redevelopment project which is split between nine different areas. Some areas have recently completed building work and other areas are due to finish later this year or during 2017.
Old Trafford is close to Manchester City Centre and the new development aims to meet the needs of local people with 240 new homes completed and a further 250-300 planned. With shared ownership and affordable rental options available.
The new homes have been designed to incorporate smarter, more sustainable living.
Prices: Various dependant on tenure
Find out more: www.traffordhousingtrust.co.uk ; 0300 777 7777
Cannon Road (Newlon Housing Trust)
Another redevelopment with links to a major football club is going on in North London. Cannon Road is close to White Hart Lane, home of Tottenham Hotspur.
Cannon Road is a major redevelopment project on the site of a derelict former factory. It features 222 new affordable homes in a mix of tenures, including a 22 storey tower that provides 100 homes available through shared ownership.
Tottenham Hotspur are working closely with the developers because the wider local regeneration was linked to the football team’s plan to redevelop its ground, White Hart Lane and the Cannon Road development topping out ceremony was attended by former Tottenham Hotspur FC captain and club ambassador, Ledley King.
Prices: From £220,000 or from around £885pm for a 30% stake
Find out more: www.newlon.org.uk ; 020 7613 8000
Douglas House, Rotherfield Garth, Henley-on-Thames (Spitfire Bespoke Homes)
A beautiful home close to the part of the River Thames which features the route of the Henley Regatta is available in Harpsden Way. Part of an exclusive enclave of executive homes, they feature individual designs and are hand finished.
The three individual five bedroom homes are inspired by the arts and crafts movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries. They combine high specifications with traditionally styled exteriors and classically presented interiors.
Each of the three homes has a dedicated private entrance road, a large front drive and garden and a big back garden with patio area to enjoy the views of mature trees and shrubs which give the garden a traditional and established feel.
A significant benefit of the location is the easy access into Henley-on-Thames. Rotherfield Garth is approximately one mile from the town centre.
Prices: £2.895m
Find out more about Spitfire Bespoke Homes