Guides to Living In...

 

 

Living in Bristol

 

Start with a thousand years of history as a major port, throw in a location in the heart of England's beautiful West Country and add to this a well-earned reputation as one of Europe's first ranked cultural cities and you have the basic recipe for Bristol. And even if you've relocated here or are just visiting you're sure to be captivated by this lovely city less than two hours from the Big Smoke.

 

Locals reckon that ten years ago, Bristol was just a cosy backwater, a well-kept secret. Its' always been a pleasant place to live with its proximity to the sea, large number of open green spaces, the lovely architecture of the old town, and its relaxed, friendly atmosphere, but Bristol has woken up. It has always been a pioneering city, but now with the big expansion in education in recent years, there is a pool of highly qualified and mobile young professionals drawing knowledge-based industries into the area. From mankind's earliest voyages of discovery to the 21st century exploration of the development of technology and science, the arts and culture, Bristol has generated more than its fair share of ground-breakers and world-beaters. Now wonder the City Council is bidding its status of European City of Culture for 2008.

 

It is no exaggeration to say that Bristol has an extraordinary range of history and culture with its variety of museums, galleries, ancient buildings, churches, theatres, cinemas and a wide range of attractions and events. But one of the most attractive features of the city is that wherever you are, it's never far from the coast, the parks, the grand estates, the secret squares or the wild areas, all helping to make Bristol one of Britain's greenest cities. And wherever you live, just an hour's drive will take you to one of the many outstanding tourist attractions the area has to offer. There's the mysterious Stonehenge, the wild beauty of the Cheddar Gorge, the pretty villages and rugged landscape of the Cotswolds, seaside towns of Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Portishead and the stunning architecture of Bath.

 

This is without doubt a very pleasant place to live and though prices have been rising sharply in recent years and whether you are renting or buying, you still get more for your money here than in London. Much of the city centre was redeveloped after wartime bombing and has been well done in keeping with the original Georgian architecture. This is often the choice of younger professionals and singles particularly around the renovated dock areas. The old floating harbour area is very popular with converted wharfs alongside new developments in areas like Hotwells, Merchants Landing, Baltic Wharf and Buchanans Wharf .

 

There is plenty of choice for families with the Georgian terraces and crescents of Clifton and Cotham being the most exclusive areas. Stoke Bishop and Sneyd Park boast some of the finest older properties with premium prices fetched for the detached houses which have Durdham Downs, Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge on the doorstep. Just that bit closer to the countryside there are the fashionable areas of Stapleton, Downed, Frenchay and Mangotsfield.

 

If it's rural life you want, then there are quaint seaside towns and hidden villages within easy reach of the city thanks to the enviable transport infrastructure. The M5 is the backbone and three junctions give fast access to all the key business areas, so that you can drive from one end of North Somerset to the other in just half an hour. There are good opportunities for both state and private education in the city itself and the wider Bristol area with high-achieving schools at secondary level preparing students for the top universities.

Bristolians know how to have fun too. The city has a well-earned reputation for one of the most exciting, vibrant and offbeat entertainment scenes in the country. There's the annual Bristol Harbour festival and one of the world's largest balloon fiestas and biggest free music festival attracting thousands. There's also the St Paul 's Carnival, and exotic celebration by the city's ethnic community.

 

There are plenty of pubs, bars, clubs and nightspots to choose from, with Whiteladies Road and The Watershed offering a wide range of places to eat, drink and generally be merry. For culture vultures there is plenty of choice with a thriving theatre and performing arts scene at the Theatre Royal, home to the famous Old Vic Company and Bristol Hippodrome with its varied programme of ballet, musicals, panto and drama.

 

From the earliest days of moving pictures Bristol has been at the cutting edge of the visual arts. The pioneer of film, William Friese-Greene worked here and Hollywood legend Cary Grant was born and brought up here. Then there is the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon, the world's oldest purpose-built continuously operating cinema.

 

The Oscar-winning Wallace and Grommit and the smash hit film Chicken Run were made by Bristol-based Aardman Animations.

 

For sports enthusiasts you can find just about any activity you want from traditional games such as golf – there are 17 full-sized courses in the region – and watersports to more adventurous pastimes from rock climbing, motor sports, skating and ice hockey, to caving, flying and gliding, riding, biking and ballooning.

 

You can shop in style in Bristol . Broadmead and the Galleries shopping centres offer all the high street names while Park Street , Queen's Road and Clifton Village has more upmarket shops and smaller boutiques. And you can step back in time up the steep cobbled 17th century Christmas Steps with its tiny cafes and specialist craft studios. Around the Watershed area, street traders gather with their stalls and St Nicholas market near Broadmead has flowers, antiques and crafts.

There is plenty to see and do here with both Bristol and nearby Bath offering a variety of attractions. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is the city's most distinctive landmark, designed by the great engineer Isambad Kingdom Brunel. The bridge spans the Avon Gorge and is a magnet for stunt artists.

 

In recent years one of the most influential aspects of the city has been the university. There has been a big expansion in student numbers and Bristol University has a premier league reputation. Meanwhile, the University of the West of England, formerly Bristol polytechnic has become a recognised centre of research and academic excellence particularly in the fields of business and technology. The result is that alongside aerospace – a local industry since the Wright Brothers first flew – Bristol has become a major centre for banking and insurance as well and new technology. The West of England region is now one of the largest employment bases in financial services in the country.

 

Most cities have changed during the last decade but few as dramatically as Bristol and fewer still can boast that so much has been for the better.

 

Useful Visitor Websites

 

Town Pages      http://www.townpages.com/bristol/

 

Local Life      http://www.locallife.co.uk/siteselect/index.asp

 

Visit Bristol      http://www.visitbristol.co.uk/

Britain Express      http://www.britainexpress.com/TIC/bristol.htm

 

Visit Britain      http://www.visitbritain.com/vb3-en-gb/default.aspx?c=1

 

Living In Cambridge

 

Cambridge is one of the loveliest and most characteristic cities in Britain . Not surprisingly it is the university which dominates as one of the country's premier and most ancient seats of learning with its colleges, university buildings and chapels. It is unquestionably one of the great universities of the world and with over 60 Nobel prizewinners, it is also one of the top research universities.

 

Everyone knows Cambridge as the University City and everything that goes with it, but it is no longer simply the sleepy university come market town. It's a bustling city with a population of more than 100,000 and it's in the forefront of the high-tech revolution.

 

It's a centre for international conferences, holds a major arts festival every summer and the shopping – particularly if you like antiques and books – is excellent.

 

There's no doubt that the colleges, and there are now 31 of them, are the great architectural treasures of the city. Famous architects such as Sir Christopher Wren, Powell and Moya were responsible for creating the beautiful buildings. And it's still a place of green open spaces with cows grazing only 500 yards from the market square.

 

Cambridge conjures up all sorts of associations from famous poets and scholars such as Brooke, Byron and Newton to punts on the river, with May Balls and Christmas carols in the King's College Chapel. During term time more than 10 per cent of the city's population is made up of students.

 

But as it's a centre of excellence for scientific research, the city has attracted new industries, particularly in recent years; Bill Gate's Microsoft is just one of many and there are new companies specialising in electronics, biotechnology, instruments and computer software. There are growing science and business parks located to the north of the city. The local economy is booming and it's only 60 miles from London .

 

Cambridge has a main shopping area concentrated in the centre of town, round Market Street and there's the Grafton Centre in Fitzroy Street . There's also a fantastic market alongside the old buildings at Market Hill selling everything from fruit and vegetables to china. There are also smaller specialist shops to be found everywhere and particularly around the Trinity Street area and antiques enthusiasts will not be disappointed.

 

As you'd expect from a university town, there's always something going on – especially for younger people. There's the Arts Theatre featuring the famous student Footlights and several cinemas. There are lots of opportunities for music and culture associated with the university and plenty of restaurants to suit all prices and tastes.

 

Sports enthusiasts at all levels can enjoy everything from football to water sports on the 100-acre lake at Fen Drayton. And, of course, everyone associates Cambridge with rowing and putting on the River Cam. It's a haven for cyclists and if you haven't got one of your own it's easy to hire one. There are also archery clubs, swimming facilities and golf courses in the area and lots of local walks. You can even play American football!

 

It is not always easy to find property to buy or rent, and though there's a wide range, it's quickly snapped up. Pressure on housing has been so great that there is now a new town – Cambourne, about eight miles to the west of the city with housing, a business park, schools, shops and leisure facilities. You can also look to the outlying villages and towns such as Huntingdon, St Ives, Royston and the cathedral city of Ely which can often offer cheaper options.

 

Education is, as you expect, good at state and private level. The majority of the secondary schools achieve results in excess of the National Average.

American visitors will know the whole area has strong wartime connections. It was once dotted with American bases and though most are now closed, there is still a big air base at Mildenhall.

Just a short drive from Cambridge brings you to Audley End House, a fine country house with a magnificent Jacobean great hall, set in grounds designed by Capability Brown. There is Wimpole Hall, a magnificent country estate and Anglesey Abbey, which sits in 100 acres of garden. For racing enthusiasts a visit to nearby Newmarket and the National Stud, a beautiful 500-acre estate and the only thoroughbred stud in England, is a must. The area is certainly a peaceful place to escape to and explore villages with ancient churches, cricket on the green, or to enjoy lunch or dinner at a friendly country pub.

 

No trip to Cambridge is complete without a visit to the historic colleges, from St John's and Hutchinson's Bridge of Sighs, Trinity and its Great Court, the largest of its kind, Clare with the oldest river bridge and beautiful gardens, they are all exquisite. But the city's crowning glory is King's College Chapel, a perfect example of perpendicular splendour best viewed from The Backs, the gardens and open spaces stretching along the river bank at the backs of the colleges. No wonder more Americans choose to live here than any other part of East Anglia .

 

This article appeared in the Winter 2003 edition of ‘American in Britain'.

For information on how to subscribe, please email Helen@theamericanhour.com

 

Useful Visitor Websites

http://www.locallife.co.uk/siteselect/index.asp

 

http://www.visitcambridge.org/

 

http://www.touristnetuk.com/EM/CAMBRIDGE/

 

http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/

 

Living in Chelsea, Kensington & Knightsbridge

Chelsea, Kensington & Knightsbridge offer fantastic diversity which supports a myriad of different lifestyles. These areas are frequently likened to a collection of villages. Clusters of shops, markets, parks and other venues foster a feeling of local community.

 

The area of Chelsea, Kensington & Knightsbridge is home to some of the most interesting and enjoyable attractions in London, together with addresses offering some of the most beautiful and varied residential property in London.

 

Like much of London 's history, these areas began with the river. As the City and Westminster became crowded with the mansions of the rich and the hovels of the poor, so London extended westwards along the Thames , Kensington and Chelsea both show up in the Domesday Book (1086).

 

Chelsea had strong links with royalty. Henry VIII acquired the manor of Chelsea in 1536 and the future Queen Elizabeth I was a resident there for some time. James I founded a theological college on a site later to be occupied by The Royal Hospital. Founded by Charles II for the care of permanently disabled soldiers, the Hospital is still there today and its uniformed residents have become known worldwide as the Chelsea Pensioners. In 1689, William III moved into Kensington Palace . Queen Victoria was born in Kensington Palace in 1819 and continued to reside there until her accession to the throne in 1837.

 

Today, Knightsbridge is a cosmopolitan byword for wealth and discernment. Centrally located in the City of Westminster and bordering Belgravia, Knightsbridge provides an oasis of designer living within the Capital. Many of the buildings have famous historical connections. Addresses such as Sloane Street, Lowndes Square and Cadogan Place boast striking properties together with a diverse array of restaurants, bars and shops, including the very famous Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

 

Chelsea is the slender triangle of land sandwiched between the River Thames and the borough of Kensington and offers a village fell with the combination of period houses and unique properties, boutiques and shops galore – King's Road is definitely a destination for the “fashionable set”.

 

North Kensington is well know for the Palace, former residence of the late Princess Diana, with its beautiful gardens and the shopping haven which is Kensington High Street and The Royal Albert Hall, best known for the annual prom concerts. South Kensington is best known for its varied property from Victorian white stucco to imposing redbrick houses and for its many museums. The National History Museum opened in 1881 to display the British Museum 's natural history collection, the Science Museum full of science and technology and the Victoria & Albert Museum containing the world's greatest collection of decorative arts as well as the national sculpture collection.

 

All three areas are surrounded by some of London 's most beautiful parks. The most famous and largest being Hyde Park , which borders Kensington. Hyde Park is one of London 's finest landscapes and covers 140 hectares (350 acres). Hyde Park provides facilities for many different leisure activities and sports as well as being the focal point for public events of all sizes. Hyde Park merges with Kensington Gardens covering 111 hectares (275 acres) and was originally part of Hyde Park . Kensington Gardens , with it magnificent trees, is a perfect setting for Kensington Palace . The peace of the Italian Gardens within this park is in sharp contrast to the openness and activity of Hyde Park, a short walk away. At the edge of Knightsbridge is St James's Park with its royal, political and literary associations. Bands give concerts twice a day at weekends during the summer.

 

Chelsea, Kensington & Knightsbridge all boast beautiful garden squares. Inspired by the piazzas of Renaissance Italy, the finest London Square was the Covent Garden Piazza completed in 1631. This set the precedent for many later developments and by the last 18th century the Square had been perfected. It was then acknowledged that a private yet communal central garden created a better loving environment for the residents and enhanced the vitality and viability of the City. As the metropolis expanded, the Square became its most popular feature and one which made London unique. The serial construction of London 's terraced houses and squares is one of England 's greatest contributions to the development of European town planning. Once a year the Square gardens are open to visitors.

 

Transport to these areas of South West London is excellent. Chelsea, Kensington & Knightsbridge can be accessed via the six underground stations serviced by the Piccadilly, District and Circle lines. London Buses run regularly with a bus stop in the area within a five minute walk wherever you are.

 

Tenants in the area can enjoy a superb variety of property on offer. Average weekly rental prices per week are:-

 

Studio flats:  £200-£260

1 Bedroom flats: £270-£1000

2 Bedroom flats: £350-£1850

3 Bedroom flats/houses: £600-£3000

4+ Bedroom flat/houses: £900-£8000

 

Areas covered: Kensington, South Kensington , Chelsea, Knightsbridge – SW1X, SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10, W8

 

(NB: whilst London Lettings Agents market property showing “weekly” rental levels, tenants pay the rental in calendar monthly/quarter (or larger instalments if negotiated) instalments in advance for long terms Tenancy Agreements of terms of 6 months plus)

 

 

Written by Cluttons LLP, 48 Pelham Street , London SW7 2NW

Telephone: 020 7584 1200

Email: pelhamstreetlettings@cluttons.com

Website: www.cluttons.com

 

 

 

 

Living in Cobham, Esher , Walton & Weybridge

 

Cobham ~ Cobham's heritage can be traced back to the Iron Age. It is almost encircled by the River Mole, a tributary of the Thames , which provides a distinctly rural appearance to the village in some places. With its beautiful water mill on the outskirts of town, dating back from the early 19th century, the ancient parish of Cobham boasts a comprehensive and up-to-date selection of delightful shops including a delicatessen and local bakery, as well as a supermarket with good parking, and one of the best restaurants in the area – La Capanna.

There are excellent schools including St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, Reeds School , Feltonfleet, Notre Dame and the American Community School together with Nurseries and Playgroups and Parent and Toddler Groups. Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, United Reformed and Brethren Churches can be found in Cobham which is also the home of Pioneer People.

A new Cottage Hospital and Health Centre have recently been opened and Cobham is home to one of the largest paint ball parks in the UK – Campaign Paintball, located in 100 acres of Surrey forest. One of the chief attractions for visitors to Cobham is the magnificent Painshill Park which is considered to be one of the finest 18th century landscape gardens in Europe and a short drive away brings you to the Royal Horticultural Gardens of Wisley.

Cobham is a thriving residential area with easy access to the A3 and the M25 orbital motorway which provides good links to both London Heathrow and London Gatwick Airports . There is also a regular train service to London Waterloo which, in turn provides a frequent service to Paris and Brussels via Eurostar.

Cobham offers a wide variety of architecture, from period properties dating back several centuries to modern, executive style properties with large and flexible family accommodation to suit such a family orientated area. Prices for renting these properties range from £1900 per calendar month for a 3/4 bedroom town house set in a secure gated development, to £12000 per calendar month for a luxurious and immaculately presented 2 yr old house, set in a prestigious road, with 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms with beautiful landscaped gardens.

 

Esher ~ Ancient relics found in the Sandown Park area of Esher , date this village back to pre-historic times. Once home to a palatial manor built in 1470 by Bishop William of Wayneflete but later demolished in 1670, the remaining gatehouse with its twin towers, known as Wayneflete Tower still stands in its own grounds beside the River Mole as a private residence. Evidence of how busy and popular Esher was in the 1800s can be found in the history attached to The Bear public house in the High Street. This coach house had stabling for 100 horses for the coaches that used the London to Portsmouth road.

  

The church behind The Bear, St George's , built in 1540, had amongst its congregation Queen Victoria and Prince Albert when they stayed nearby at Claremont . Claremont House was designed by Lancelot ‘Capability' Brown for Clive of India and is now the private Claremont Fancourt School. The 50 acre gardens are owned by the National Trust with its famous 3 acre turf amphitheatre rising above the lake, one of only two surviving examples of its kind in Europe. During the summer months open-air concerts within the Claremont Landscape Garden are held for members of the public and Claremont House is open to the public some weekends.

Despite its continued popularity, Esher has maintained a village atmosphere with its cottages and parish church (Christ Church) overlooking the green at the back of the High Street, together with its charming shops and restaurants. It also has a cinema and an award winning farm shop, stables and livery yard – Garson Farm.

Within Esher there are several primary and secondary schools, together with independent schools including Claremont Fancourt School, Emberhurst, Milbourne Lodge, Grantchester House and Rowan Prep. There are also private nurseries and playgroups, including Montessori. Esher has its own Adult and Higher Education Centre and an excellent selection of Sports Clubs, covering Lawn Tennis, Cricket, Golf and Health and Fitness. Perhaps one of the biggest draws to the village is the Sandown Park Racecourse and Event Centre, host to a number of premier class racing fixtures together with exhibitions and events open to the public. Tucked away opposite the racecourse is the new Civic Centre which is the headquarters of Elmbridge Borough Council.

  

Properties in Esher are a mixture of old picturesque cottages, fabulous apartment conversions and beautiful family homes in small gated developments ranging from £1050 per calendar month for a two bedroom unfurnished apartment to £6,250 per calendar month for a 6 bedroom, 4 bathroom spacious family home with landscaped grounds.

A short distance from the A3 and M25, Esher is well placed for the airports and commuting to London via road or rail.

 

Walton on Thames ~ There was a Celtic settlement at Walton on Thames even before the Romans and Saxons came on the scene. Walton on Thames was also identified as being the place where Caesar forded the Thames during his second invasion of Britain .

St Mary's Church, standing on the highest point of the town, dates back before the Domesday Book and is of Saxon origin. It also houses a 17th century organ case and in the graveyard lies Edward ‘Lumpy' Stevens (d.1821), a well known cricketer whose bowling led to the introduction of the third stump.

Several important houses and manor houses were built in Walton on Thames over the centuries including The Old Manor House which was built in the 14 th century and still remains as an excellent example of a well preserved domestic building of its period. Ashley House, which was built between 1602 and 1605, for Lady Berkeley, stood for over 300 years, the size of the estate reaching 440 acres at one point, until it was demolished in 1930 to make way for a private estate of new houses. Apps Court House which was recorded in 1664 as the biggest house in Walton containing 39 rooms with fireplaces, was acquired in 1899 by the Southwark and Vauxhall Water Company who pulled down the house building two reservoirs in its place.

Steeped in history, with many notable dignitaries having resided in Walton, modern day Walton on Thames is a thriving town with a large population in the North West of Surrey. It has an excellent selection of sports grounds and clubs covering all major sports, including rowing; a comprehensive selection of shops and supermarkets together with a fine choice of restaurants and pubs, some with lovely river views. It has a cinema, a theatre and an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool. There are plenty of primary schools, a secondary school and independent schools including Danesfield Prep and Westward School, together with private nurseries, playgroups and parent and toddler groups.

Walton on Thames has a considerable choice of properties, from new builds to apartment conversions and family homes in private gated estates such as Ashley Park and Burwood Park . Prices for renting these properties range from £675 per calendar month for a 1 bedroom modern furnished flat to £15000 per calendar month for a seven bedroom, seven bathroom house in Burwood Park complete with games room and indoor swimming pool complex.

 

Weybridge ~ Weybridge has a royal connection through the building of Oatlands Palace in 1537 by Henry VIII who married for the fifth time in Weybridge. Prior to that the village was of little significance being part of the Manor of Byfleet. It was founded in the 13 th century and named by a crossing of the River Wey, a tributary of the River Thames. The demolition of the palace in 1650 provided the bricks to line the lock walls of the new Wey Navigation. This was very significant as it was one of the first rivers to be canalised in England to provide Guildford , the county town of Surrey , with access to the world via the Thames and London.

  

In 1838 with the opening of the London & Southampton Railway, Weybridge found itself within easy and inexpensive reach of London and became a very attractive countryside destination for a number of Londoners. Grand villas started to appear in St George's Hill, now one of Surrey 's most exclusive and prestigious residential private estates. With the break up of the Oatlands estate opening up further development opportunities, Weybridge became the bustling town you see today.

  

In 1909 the land speed world record was set at Brooklands race track. Malcolm Campbell also set up shop there to build his famous Bluebirds. The race track closed with the outbreak of the second world war in 1939 but the famous circuit with its high banked curves lives on as part of the Brooklands Museum which is contained within a sizeable Business Park which secures the continued prosperity of the town. Weybridge also became the home of Vickers who designed and built many British aeroplanes until 1982 with the decline of the British civil aircraft industry.

  

Weybridge town centre now offers an array of designer boutiques, hair salons, cafes and restaurants, with out of town supermarkets and retail stores within the Brooklands area. With its beautiful river walks, cricket green and tree-lined roads, Weybridge is a highly desirable destination for many relocating to the UK. It is bordered by the A3 London to Portsmouth dual carriageway and the M25 London orbital motorway providing easy access to both London Heathrow and Gatwick airports and has a fast train service into London Waterloo, making commuting easy and fast.

  

Weybridge is spoilt for choice when it comes to schools with some excellent primary and secondary schools and a first rate independent school – St George's College. It also has private nurseries, playgroups and parent and toddler groups.

Sports and Leisure is also very comprehensively covered in Weybridge with clubs for mountaineering, interactive sports training, bowling, lawn tennis, amateur rowing and a David Lloyds leisure centre. There is also an Equestrian Centre catering for children from 6 months!

  

Weybridge has a selection of spectacular homes available to rent, many within the exclusive St George's Hill private estate and some beautiful apartment conversions close to the town centre and the river. It caters for young professionals as well as large families and prices range from £750 per calendar month for a one bedroom modern house with wood laminate flooring on the ground floor, to £11000 per calendar month for an exceptionally impressive gated Tarrant built house with a separate lodge house set in over an acre of grounds with magnificent views, affording total seclusion and privacy, located in the exclusive St George's Hill estate.

 

Should you wish to consider relocating to any of these key locations in Surrey , Sue Bramley Lettings Manager APW Weybridge Office and Charlotte Howard Manager of APW Cobham Office would be delighted to assist you. APW has an excellent selection of properties available to let offering very high standards of accommodation, the majority of which are close to the American Community Schools. APW has a dedicated website for Americans looking to relocate to the UK with a full selection of properties for rent featured on the site – www.usapw.com The site is updated regularly but APW receives instructions daily, so if you cannot find what you are looking for straight away, contact a member of the APW team who will be pleased to help you.

 

Average Monthly Rental Price Guides :

Tenants pay rental in calendar month instalments for long term Tenancy Agreements of 6 months or more. Most properties are available unfurnished with the exception of some smaller apartments:

                                                          Per Month

1 Bedroom Apartments/Houses             £675-850

2 Bedroom Apartments/Houses             £900-£3000

3 Bedroom Apartments/Houses             £1500-£3000

4 Bedroom Houses                               £2200-£4250

5 Bedrooms +                                      £3250-£16000

 

APW Management Ltd, founder members of ARLA (The Association of Residential Letting Agents), members of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme for Regulated Agents and the National Association of Estate Agents.

For further details contact:

Cobham & Esher :

APW Management Ltd, 65 Portsmouth Road , Cobham, Surrey KT11 1JQ

Tel: 01932 860900 Fax: 01932 866090 email: info@apwcobham.co.uk

www.apwltd.co.uk www.usapw.com

Walton on Thames & Weybridge :

APW Management Ltd, 134 Oatlands Drive , Oatlands Village , Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9HJ. Tel: 01932 857300 Fax: 01932 850696 email: weybridge@apwltd.co.uk

www.apwltd.co.uk www.usapw.com

 

Written by Stephanie Walshe for American in Britain Magazine, Plum Communications

01392 421323.  1st June 2005

 

 

Living in Gerrards Cross

 

Gerrards Cross and its surrounding areas have long been popular with American expatriates due to its location and educational facilities.

Gerrards Cross is a small town with a population of approximately 7,500 and is only a couple of miles from the M40 motorway that provides fast access to London, Oxford and Birmingham, and is only 15 minutes away from the M25 that takes you to London's busiest airports Gatwick and Heathrow (which can take only 20 minutes on a good day). It is worth noting however, that due to the close proximity to these motorways, some houses do have a problem with noise. There is also a mainline station that takes you into Marylebone station in Central London , and from there you can take the underground to destinations all over London.

Education is always of great importance to expatriates relocating with families, and Gerrards Cross is conveniently located from ACS International School at Hillingdon which is set in a lovely stately home and educates children from the age of 4-18, and currently has about 550 students. Academic programmes include the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and a traditional American High School Diploma, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Excellent facilities are augmented by a new music centre, complete with digital recording studio, rehearsal rooms, practice studios, and a computer lab for music technology. With regards to sport, the school offers on-site playing fields, tennis courts, and playgrounds, with additional off-site soccer, rugby, track, baseball, softball, swimming and golf facilities. There are also excellent local English schools should you wish to educate your children in the British system.

On the social side there are various tennis clubs, private golf clubs and public courses, historical and musical societies, girl guides, brownies and scouts.

Houses in the area can be quite expensive, especially those near the station and shops, but that is to be expected in an area with good education facilities and local amenities.

As in many areas popular with American expatriates, there is an excellent and thriving American Women's Club – Chiltern American Women's Club – that has some of the friendliest members I have ever met, and will make any new expatriate family feel at ease. They organise many charity events and have regular meetings and social events and are a great source of information for any incoming expatriate family.

Gerrards Cross is surrounded by smaller towns that have their own beauty and history.

The poet, John Milton, fled the plague in London to Chalfont St Giles where he wrote Paradise Regained in 1665. A few miles from here another town, Jordans, is the resting place for expat William Penn who founded Pennsylvania in 1682. Knotty Green another local town has good family homes at reasonable rents and Forty Green boasts on of the oldest pubs in England – the ‘Old Royal Standard'. The lovely old village of Penn has a famous one handed clock on the ancient church, a village green with duck pond, a good antique shop and an excellent village school.

There are several Estate Agents in the area who can help with information on accommodation in the area, as will your relocation agent, should you be offered this service within your relocation package.

 

This article was published in the Autumn 2004 edition of ‘American in Britain '.

For details on how to subscribe, please email Helen@theamericanhour.com

 

Useful Visitor Websites

 

Local Life.co.uk

http://www.locallife.co.uk/siteselect/index.asp

 

Brit Info.net

http://www.britinfo.net/fp-S-BIW.htm

 

Brit Info.net Gerrards Cross

http://www.britinfo.net/index_Gerrards_Cross.htm

 

Visit Britain.com

http://www.visitbritain.com/

 

 

 

Living in Hampstead and the surrounding area

 

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Aston Chase is recognised as one of the market leaders in this field. They tell us why Hampstead and the adjoining areas in North West London are so much in demand, and give us a general guide to the areas of Hampstead, Primrose Hill, St Johns Wood, Regent's Park, Little Venice and Marylebone – all prime London locations, where many families choose to relocate to each year.

 

The stylish suburb of Hampstead offers a fusion of landscapes, from the lush, green foliage of the Heath, the trendy shops and cafes of the High Street to the sumptuous, historical sites of Kenwood and Fenton House. An intriguing combination of good food, fashion, history and art. It is easy to fully immerse oneself in the atmosphere of the place whilst strolling through its cobbled streets.

 

Hampstead's popularity began in the 18th century, when the “fashionable set” were lured by the prospect of “taking the waters” at the local springs. A century later, John Keats, the famous English poet, deftly named it “the fair and open face of heaven” and made it his home. It is situated a mere four miles from the City Centre – which is only a twenty minute tube journey along the Northern Line, yet is still able to offer a respite from the hustle-bustle which so epitomises London.

 

Situated on one of the highest points of London in the North West, Hampstead and its respective High Street offers a diverse array of eateries, bars and gastro pubs – more then eighteen restaurants which boast astronomical explosions of flavour and cultural diversity – there is a restaurant to suit even the most particular palette. For after dinner, there is a cosy selection of traditional pubs and fashionable bars to choose from, as well as a couple of cinemas for entertainments sake. There is a selection of grocery stores, fresh fruit and vegetable markets and bakeries, which constantly emanate the aroma of freshly baked bread – a mouth-watering prospect indeed.

 

Hampstead's diversity means that there is something for everyone, though it is very much a family orientated area, exemplified by the thirty-six local schools in the vicinity, which cater for nursery school age up to college school. Devonshire House, in Fitzjohn's Avenue, St Christopher's School in Belsize Lane, St Paul's Church of England Primary School on Elsworthy Road, South Hampstead High School at Maresfield Gardens and the University College School in Frognal are just a few of the educational establishments on offer, all with exceptional reputations.

 

Architecturally speaking, Hampstead offers a wide range of period houses and unique properties; a picturesque variety of styles dating back over 300 years – many of the buildings with famous historical and literary connections. There are striking terraces in Church Row, leading down to Frognal, which incidentally, is one of Hampstead's oldest streets. Southwards are the grand, imposing properties of Fitzjohn's Avenue, some of which have been converted into schools or clinics. Maresfield Gardens also boasts some large houses, aesthetically pleasing in the extreme, as well as the relatively new Freud Museum in the house where Sigmund Freud died in 1939. On the North End Road , nearby, is the classical frontage of Inverforth House, which has since been converted into luxury flats. Behind the house is the picturesque Hill Garden , a traditionally Italian garden open to the public, with its overhanging trellises and tangled roots of ancient wisteria, good for a relaxing or romantic stroll.

 

A short drive or brisk walk from Hampstead Village brings you down to the Finchley Road which has a long line of shops, as well as businesses, residences and the large leisure and shopping complex the “02 Centre” which houses various restaurants, eateries, shops, cinema, a large health club with swimming pool and crèche facilities, as well as the local Sainsbury's food supermarket. Close by are some of North London's other most stylist suburbs including Primrose Hill, St John's Wood, Regent's Park, Maida Vale and Little Venice.

 

Primrose Hill is renowned for its picturesque strips of pastel coloured houses, stylish cafes and chic boutiques just five minutes from the Chalk Farm underground station (northern line). It is a beautiful parkland area lying almost as a northern attachment to Regent's Park. This is next to the Village, which is synonymous with media stars and celebrities and celebrity spotting is not unusual here. Primrose Hill is also situated at one of the highest points of London and as a result offers tremendous views from Primrose Hill Park. It must be noted that it has also attracted many artists and writers over the years as the idyllic views provide inspiration.

 

Not far from here lies St John's Wood - once held by William the Conqueror and eventually bestowed on The Knights of St John of Jerusalem (hence it's name). St John's Wood offers an array of restaurants, cafes and some particularly lovely shops and galleries. It also benefits from being only a short distance e from Regent's Park and the London Zoo. St John's Wood retains properties of many different styles from different periods; Classic Regency style houses, stucco fronted houses, beautifully proportioned Victorian houses as well as a number of prestigious purpose built blocks, for those who prefer the added benefits of porterage and secure parking. Beatles aficionados will enjoy the nearby Abbey Road not far from the High Street, and St John's Wood underground station (jubilee line), where the cover of their famous Abbey Road album was shot. Many American families are attracted to the area, not only because of the pleasant surroundings and comprehensive amenities with easy access to the West End and City, but also because of the highly reputable “ American School in London ” situation on Loudoun Road , which offers a co-educational, rigorous and innovative college atmosphere and which adheres to the American curriculum.

 

Regent's Park, which is exquisite during the spring and summer months when the flowers are in bloom, is located adjacent to the prestigious Prince Albert Road of St John's Wood. The Inner Circle within the park is approximately 3 miles along the surrounds beautifully kept parks grounds, the London Zoo, a beautiful boating lake, golf range and tennis courts. This location is highly sought after by those who wish to enjoy wonderful park views and easy access to the West end and St John's Wood and is a key London area where John Nash designed many magnificent Terraces in the 1800's.

The fashionable Marylebone High Street, Baker Street and their transport links are within close proximity. West of St John's Wood are Little Venice and Maida Vale, which have wide, tree-lined roads with substantial period houses, some of which hide large communal gardens. These are particularly sought after by families, as the enclosed grounds of the gardens, some of which are up to three acres in size, offer a safe space for children to play in. Many have playground areas and entertainment throughout the year, such as Guy Fawkes Night when there are organised fireworks displays. There are a number of streets with shops and cafes, as well as the picturesque Regent Canal with its barges and walkways.

 

It is clear to see why so many flock to North West London, as the surrounding areas offer the best of both worlds; lush open spaces, cosmopolitan shopping, a wealth of history and easy access to the City and West End. It is a perfect synthesis of the old and the new, merging effortlessly to create varied, stylish and beautiful suburbs which are a delight to live in.

 

Average Weekly Rental Price Guide:-

 

(NB: Whilst London Lettings Agents market property showing “weekly” rental levels, tenants pay the rental in calendar monthly / quarterly (or larger instalments if negotiated) in advance for long term Tenancy Agreements of terms of 6 months plus):-

 

1 Bedroom Flats                    per week   £250-£600

2 Bedroom Flats                    per week   £350-1200

3 Bedroom Flats/Houses        per week   £450-3000

4 Bedroom Flats/Houses        per week   £350-1200

 

Areas covered: St John's Wood, Regent's Park, Marylebone, Little Venice , Maida Vale, Primrose Hill, Hampstead and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

 

Article written by Aston Chase 020 7724 4724 and featured in the Spring 2005 issue of American in Britain magazine http://www.americaninbritain.co.uk/

 

 

Living in Islington & Clerkenwell, London

 

Always a favourite haunt for artists, actors and politicians, Islington, a small London borough with a population of around 200,000, is often referred to as ‘The Angel' after a famous coaching inn now the site of the main underground station. ‘The Angel' and Upper Street are popular residential areas for expat city workers, being just a mile or two from London's banking, insurance and trading centre. Central London 's heavy traffic and underground delays make the 10 to 15 minutes walk to your City office – on fine days – a good way to beat the queues. On rainy days, there are buses every few minutes and both underground and overland trains into Moorgate, Bank and Liverpool Street.

 

The name of Islington is derived from the word ‘ishel' meaning lower and ‘don' meaning a fortified enclosure and was first referred to in AD1000. From around this date until the arrival of railways in the mid 19th Century, drovers shephereded sheep and cattle through Islington's main thoroughfare, Upper Street, and down St Johns Street, on their way Smithfield Cattle Market. This massive trade involved thousands of beasts being driven on foot every week from as far afield as Scotland, and the human traffic brought many of the first ale houses and early entertainment now known as ‘pub theatre'. The area was known as London 's ‘dairy' in the 17th and early 18th Centuries as it supplied the capital's cheese, butter and milk and was home to the local farming community. Wealthy families lived here in fine homes, some of which still stand in the Borough. In the 1840's the population exploded, and many houses were built. Nicknamed the ‘walking suburb', Islington then provided respectable housing for the many thousands of additional clerks required in the City, following the industrial revolution and the resultant increase in world trade.

 

Neighbouring Clerkenwell is immediately outside the ancient City of London Wall. Its history lies much more in manufacturing, as evidenced by the many office, factory and warehouse buildings now converted into fashionable apartments. Clerkenwell's growth and importance can be traced back to the late 17th Century and the arrival of skilled Huguenot craftsmen fleeing from persecution in France. These and other craftsmen, banned from working inside the City by the strictly enforced Guilds (effectively closed shop unions) set up in business in Clerkenwell and brought to the area their customs, foods and distinctive lifestyles. However, by the 1830's the area was overcrowded with slum dwellings and was practically lawless. In ‘Oliver Twist' Charles Dickens immortalised the infamous Clerkenwell ‘rookeries' (slum houses where criminals lived with young children in squalid, cramped conditions, training them to be pickpockets and thieves).

 

In the late 19th Century the slum dwellings were cleared and many inhabitants moved to neighbouring Islington, which in turn became overcrowded and lost its respectable status. The wealthy City businessmen had by this time left for the cleaner air and safety of the countryside, from which they could commute to the City inexpensively on frequent trains which ran on time. Islington and Clerkenwell stagnated throughout the early and mid 20th century, becoming overcrowded and run down, with health problems caused by the combination of smoke and exhaust fumes and the poverty levels bringing other problems.

 

Nevertheless, inspired people were working to bring the good life back to the area. Islington Film Studios was opened by American Paramount Pictures' Adolph Zukor and Jesse Lasky in 1919 (though it closed in 1946). Lilian Baylis created the Sadlers Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue , in 1931, on the site of a spa with a pleasure garden and historic theatre dating back to 1683. Camden Passage, now the world famous antique centre, was a slum until John Peyton started his campaign for improvements in 1959, and Robert Carrier, the good food guru, opened his first restaurant here in 1962.

 

The celebrities then started to move back in but much of the area was still very unglamorous, without the shops, bars and general amenities of fashionable Chelsea and Kensington. Then American Dan Crawford brought pub theatre to the run down Kings Head in Upper Street in 1969 and suddenly Islington became the place to live. Alternative comedians, classical actors, the good and bad of British theatre and film have all played here and keep coming back.

Seen by many as a major turning point in Islington's colourful history, the success of The King's Head Theatre helped bring a new generation of affluent home seekers to Islington. The boarded up shop fronts disappeared, to be replaced by pubs, bars, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes, together with (at the last count) some 16 nightclubs, 10 theatres, 6 museums and 8 comedy clubs. There is even a farmers market in Camden Passage on Sunday mornings.

 

Recommended restaurants include Lolas, The White Onions, Fredricks and Sacre Couer Bistro. If you prefer pubs and bars try The Medicine Bar, Canonbury Tavern (the first all organic pub), The Duke of Cambridge, or perhaps The Elbow Room. Leisure centres and gyms include Esporta Health and Fitness, Living Well, Sequinpark Two, Finsbury Leisure Centre and Living Well Premier. The Business Design Centre in Upper Street offers the architect or designer facilities for product launches and corporate hospitality, bringing 300,000 visitors a year who benefit from the many and various amenities that Islington provides.

 

Bargains can be found in the thriving antique markets of Camden Passage and Union Chapel, and peaceful strolls can be had alongside the Union Canal or through the 25 acres of Highbury Fields. To find out why football (soccer) is Britain's most popular game, visit Highbury, the home of Arsenal Football Club, started in 1886 and one of the top UK club teams. To trace your ancestors, go to The Family Records Centre, Middleton Street, where documents from 1796 relating to births, deaths and marriages are held.

 

Islington and Clerkenwell housing reflects the diverse housing needs of its modern day inhabitants. Large family homes are available to buy and rent, though the main demand from expat residents is for one and two bedroom rental apartments. These are often found in fine looking Georgian or Victorian houses which have been specially converted.

 

For a one bedroom apartment in Islington expect to pay between £250 and £500 per week and for two bedrooms, £300 to £700 per week. The lower end of the range will include housing away from the area's main amenities and transport, whilst the middle and top end homes will be close to The Angel and Upper Street. Clerkenwell's rental prices can go higher still, as new luxury developments and warehouse conversions on the edge of the City have proved very popular. Avoid locations not convenient for transport and as always with inner city neighbourhoods, check after dark before leasing or buying that you feel will feel safe on the walk home.

 

This article was printed in the Winter 2002 issue of American in Britain magazine.

For details of how to subscribe to ‘American in Britain ' please email Helen@theamericanhour.com

 

Useful Visitor Websites

 

http://www.townpages.com/highbury/

 

http://www.locallife.co.uk/islington/index.asp

 

http://www.locallife.co.uk/siteselect/index.asp

 

 

 

 

Living in St John's Wood

 

Over the past five years St John's Wood has become increasingly popular with American families relocating to London who are drawn by its quiet leafy streets and green boundaries, its convenient location and the ever popular American School in London.

 

This prized north-west suburban enclave with its metropolitan vibe and village atmosphere attracts a vast number of senior executives from the financial world whose lives are made easier by the Jubilee line's direct route from St John's Wood to Canary Wharf, or by changing route from St John's Wood to Canary Wharf, or by changing once on the underground, they can get to the financial heart of London in the City. The West End is less than two miles away.

 

The education of their children is always a concern for families moving internationally and the American School in London in Loudoun Road adds to the appeal of St John's Wood as an area of choice. The locals are impressed with the American kids who are lively yet well mannered and extremely sociable.

 

Regent's Park has a great jogging circuit and picnic areas, as well as tennis courts, boating lakes and an outdoor theatre. Lord's, the world's most famous cricket ground brings a very British feel to the area on match days when hoards of fans descend with picnic baskets, white slacks, blazers and panama hats!

 

If you are old enough to remember the zebra crossing cover on one of the Beatle's albums, you can recreate the photo yourself by going down to the famous Abbey Road Studios. Sir Paul McCartney has lived in the area for many years and is often seen browsing round the library in the High Street or the home made cake shop in Charlbert Street. St John's Wood also boasts a boutique filled High Street, plenty of good newsagents with international publications, a family butchers on the High Street and a renowned fishmongers, Browns, on Charlbert Street. Weather permitting many of the restaurants provide ‘al fresco' dining.

 

Because St John's Wood is so popular it can create a shortage in supply of properties, particularly at the upper end of the market. Lage family houses are in the £2000 - £5000 per week range, so when these properties come on to the market they are usually let extremely quickly.

 

Spacious mansion block apartments are also popular with American tenants, particularly when they have been newly refurbished to a very high standard. A recently refurbished Edwardian mansion block has 14 flats ranging from 1518 sq ft to 2139 sq ft with rentals from £950 - £1500 per week.

 

This article was published in the autumn 2004 edition of ‘American in Britain '.

For details on how to subscribe to the magazine, please email Helen@theamericanhour.com

 

 

http://www.townpages.com/st-johns-wood/

 

http://www.ukattraction.com/view-by-picture/london/st-johns-wood/

 

http://www.city-visitor.com/stjohnswood/

 

http://www.locallife.co.uk/siteselect/index.asp

 

 

  Living in Windsor & Ascot (Berks) & Virginia Water (Surrey)

 

Windsor is idyllically positioned on the banks of the River Thames and is dominated by the historic Windsor Castle , which is one of three official residences of The Queen. Leading away from the castle is the Long Walk which is a beautiful walk which takes you to the famous Copper Horse. This in turn leads to the Great Park where further walks or picnics can be enjoyed. The area surrounding the castle is also very interesting and has cobbled streets and an abundance of history which dates back to the 17th century. The Crooked Tea House, the Guildhall built by Sir Christopher Wren, Queen Charlotte Street, the shortest street in Britain and Nell Gwynne's house are just a few of the historic examples pertaining to this beautiful town.

Windsor has an excellent choice of shopping facilities and restaurants. The main area being Peascod Street which has high street chain stores and department stores, and more exclusive fashion shopping facilities can be found within the Concourse close to Windsor Central Station which include Morgan, Paul Costelloe and Ronit Kikha. There is a wide selection of bars and restaurants to suit every taste budget and a huge emphasis is placed on café society, as there are many continental-style pavement cafes to choose from. Eating out is a pleasure and the choice of restaurants range from Pizza houses, Chinese, Indian, Italian and Thai.

The summertime in Windsor and the surrounding areas really come alive with events such as Royal Ascot, Henley Regatta, Polo at the Royal Berkshire Club and racing at the Windsor Racecourse. Children can be entertained at the ever popular Legoland, or by swimming at the local leisure centre or ride in the Great Park. Windsor also boasts its very own theatre which has regular productions that sometimes precede the West End and hosts a different pantomime every Christmas. The Changing of the Guard is a daily event and happens every morning at 11am and the very popular open-top buses can take you on a guided tour of the town, starting from the Castle you can get on and off at ten stops around the town. The town can also be seen by horse and carriage.

Property available to rent in Windsor varies from 1 and 2 bedroom refurbished apartments for easy living close to the town centre, right through to family homes all of which benefit from being within close proximity to the two train stations providing excellent and efficient services into London Warterloo, or Paddington. Junction 6 on the M4 motorway is easily accessible and will also take you straight into London within about 45 minutes. Property prices range from £850 per calendar month right through to £9000 per calendar month, offering something for everyone's budget and taste.

The selection of the right school is always an important decision, and can be quite daunting when moving into a new area. The American International School of Egham is conveniently located and is an excellent choice offering a curriculum which incorporates American and internationally recognised educational principles. There are also local primary and secondary schools which offer excellent facilities.

In the 1970's The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) opened in Thorpe (near Virginia Water) to satisfy the demand of every increasing requirements of US and other nationalities many of whose companies were moving out of London into the suburbs. International travel was becoming less expensive and London Heathrow was close by. TASIS had a good reason to choose its location. Thorpe is a very pretty and historic English Village , but additionally there is a wealth of quality housing nearby in Virginia Water, Sunningdale, Ascot and Windsor. For many years, companies such as Australian airline QANTAS and pharmaceutical giant Eli-Lilly and others, had purchased property for their expat employees to live in. With different accounting rules, these have been slowly been sold off