Recent surveys have discovered that in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, many people are now considering a move away from urban areas to a less densely populated place in suburbia or the countryside.
While there are hundreds of high-quality developments in such locations, there are a few that come with the bonus of being set on private estates that offer considerable open space and natural surroundings to enjoy, with the bonus of a touch of exclusivity to residents. And while some might require the buyer to have a significant budget, many have properties available at moderate prices within reach of mid-market house-hunters.
Here are some of our favourites.
Monksmoor Park, Daventry, Northamptonshire
Crest Nicholson won Bronze for Best Public Realm at the WhatHouse? Awards 2019, judged on elements such as landscaping, parks, public spaces, facilities for residents, and art and cultural attractions. Monksmoor Park is situated alongside the Grand Union Canal and incorporates 25 acres of open space, including an extension to the Daventry Reservoir and Country Park. The latest phases are Meadowside (one- to three-bedroom homes, £72,475 to £284,950) and The Rowans (one- to four-bedroom homes, £72,475 to £369,950).
Woodhurst Park, Warfield, Berkshire
The latest new homes for sale at this development, where some 750 properties will be built, are part of an estate with 65 acres of open space in the form of a country park. One- to four-bedroom homes are currently available, priced from £249,950 to £935.000. It’s a very green area but within easy reach of the likes of Bracknell, Slough and Reading. Find out more about Woodhurst Park from Berkeley Homes.
Conningbrook Lakes, Ashford, Kent
This collection of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes from Latimer and Westerhill Homes is on a former quarry site sits in the heart of a 34-hectare nature reserve. The peaceful lakeside location offers a tranquil lifestyle on the edge of Ashford, with High Speed rail links to London for commuters. Prices currently start at £310,000 for a two-bedroom home and £590,000 for a five-bedroom house. Find out more at www.conningbrooklakes.com.
St Elphin’s Park, Matlock, Derbyshire
Situated at the southern end of the Peak District, St Elphin’s Park retirement village is set in 14 acres in the Derbyshire Dales, close to Matlock and Bakewell, with 127 properties and a restored Victorian Gothic school at its centre. The last new build property for sale is a first-floor, two-bedroom/two-bathroom apartment with southwest-facing balcony, priced £335,000. As well as the grounds, the development has a restaurant, bistro bar, health and wellbeing centre, fitness suite and swimming pool. Find out more at www.audleyvillages.co.uk.
North Stoneham Park, Eastleigh, Hampshire
North Stoneham Park is a new community taking shape over 120 acres of an historic deer park. There’s a whole range of properties with from one to five bedrooms to help create a diverse community. There will also be a new school, shops, office space, magnificent sports facilities, a care village and green open spaces. Two-, three- and four-bedroom homes currently start from £310,000. Find out more from Highwood Homes at northstonehampark.co.uk.
Wildernesse House, Sevenoaks, Kent
This luxury, age-exclusive development in set in the historic, 24-acre Wildernesse Estate, which includes wildflower meadows, a rose garden, orchard and kitchen garden, and has a delightful sundial folly with comfortable seating and views of the main house and surrounding grounds. There are 19 one- and two-bedroom apartments on the upper floors of the main house and four one- and two-bedroom ‘legacy’ apartments on the ground floor, while eight new build two-bedroom mews houses have been constructed in the newly built stable block. Residents have a spa with lap pool, sauna & steam room, treatment rooms, gym & studio and a range of dining options. Prices start from £610,000 for the mews houses, and from £900,000 for apartments. Find out more at www.pegasuslife.co.uk.
King Edward VII Estate, Midhurst, West Sussex
Sitting within the South Downs National Park, the 165-acre estate comprises meadows, woods and the replanted historic Gertrude Jekyll garden, with numerous walking routes to enjoy them all. There are restored Grade II and II* listed buildings converted into exceptional apartments and sympathetically designed new build houses. Residents can use a private gym, swimming pool and steam room, lounge and concierge service. This development has won numerous awards in recent years. Apartments start at £280,000. Find out more at www.cityandcountry.co.uk.
Larbert House & Country Estate, Larbert, Falkirk
Larbert House and Country Estate has a fascinating history and beautiful grounds of mature trees, wild meadowland and lawns running down to its private loch. Larbert House itself comprises apartments (those remaining starting at £280,000) and has some breathtaking vistas of Falkirk. This is complemented by a number of brand new mews and detached homes in an eye-catching contemporary design. The most expensive available at the moment is a five-bedroom/four-bathroom detached villa with 2,840 sq ft and south-facing garden, at £595,000. Find out more at www.larberthouseestate.com.
Parklands Manor, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
This parkland estate of 23 acres is on the site of a former 140-year-old Victorian manor house and school, and is providing a blend of preservation and conversion with sensitively designed new build homes. The surrounding area has many hamlets and villages too, well away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, though the city of Oxford is in fact only a 10-minute drive away. Prices start from £305,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, with Help to Buy available, rising to £1.05million for a detached, 2,015-sq-ft, five-bedroom house. Find out more about Millgate.
Magna Carta Park, Runnymede, Surrey
Situated on a site with considerable history going back to King John signing the famous document, this is an exclusive private development of 33 exclusive luxury houses and 24 apartments set in a private 57-acre estate of woodlands and gardens, as well as tennis courts and pitch-and-putt golf. It has all been based by developer Royalton Group on the famous prime areas of Wentworth and St George’s Hill, and indoor facilities are equally impressive, from pool and spa to 24-hour medical care and fine dining. Prices range from £1.3million to £4.75million. Find out more at magnacartapark.com.
Barkham Place, Aborfield Green, Berkshire
This has been designed in line with Crest Nicholson’s ‘Garden Village’ concept, which prioritises landscape-led quality design, developing attractive street scenes and promoting heathy living. Once complete, Aborfield Green, on a former garrison site, will include over 2.5km of new bridleways and 5km of new footpaths, alongside three acres of new play areas and 4km of new cycle-paths. Further landscaped areas have also been installed by Crest Nicholson, including a green amphitheatre. Two-bedroom properties start at £299,950. Find out more about Nightingale Fields at Arborfield Green from Crest Nicholson.