LET’S MOVE TO... Newbury

NEWBURY

Anna Tyzack heads to Berkshire to find eco-homes within easy reach of London

With its farmhouse kitchen, far-reaching views and almost eight acres of garden and meadows, Broad Mead Farm in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the ultimate in commutable farmhouses. The fact that it is newly built with a ground source heat pump makes it even more desirable, according to Liz McLean from Savills in Newbury (savills.co.uk). ‘You can be in London within an hour yet this is stunning countryside with endless scope for walking and riding nearby,’ she says. ‘Increasingly our London buyers are looking for country houses that are easy to run, with a low carbon footprint.’

The area around Newbury has always been popular with commuters, yet thanks to Crossrail its star is rising ever higher, according to buying agent Ben Horne of Middleton Advisors (middletonadvisors.com). Since the start of lockdown he’s received numerous requests for family houses in the area – and interest is just as strong now many are returning to the office. ‘Newbury to Reading is 15 minutes, and from Reading you can be in London in 35 minutes on the Elizabeth Line,’ he says.

Houses such as Broad Mead Farm, which is on the market for £4 million with Savills, suit a new generation of environmentally conscious London leavers who don’t have the time or inclination to take on their own renovation project. Two Cocks Farm, an architect-designed eco farmhouse near Newbury, sparked the trend when it featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs in 2013; according to Horne, modern houses such as this will only become more popular as the government penalises poor energy performance.

For Andy and Melissa Shields, who during lockdown bought a plot that was already being developed into a five-bedroom eco house near Kingsclere, the Newbury area offers everything they didn’t have in London: wide open spaces, charming country pubs, friendly local sports clubs and a house large enough for three children and two dogs. Their house was completed early this year; the pool, stables and tennis court will be finished by the end of the summer.

‘We worried that the house wouldn’t have the personality of an older property but it’s already got its own character – and everything works,’ Melissa says. Their children are happily installed in a nearby prep school and Andy commutes into the City four days a week. ‘Honestly, I think we spent more time on roads and trains when we lived in London,’ Melissa continues. ‘It’s wonderfully convenient around here, and Newbury itself is very useful.’

Far from being a sleepy commuter town, Newbury is an employment centre in its own right; Vodafone, Stryker and the Swift Group all have head offices there. Meanwhile the town’s shopping and restaurants have gentrified over the past few years, as has Newbury Racecourse, which hosts the Hennessy Gold Cup in November. ‘Newbury is a vibrant market town surrounded by beautiful countryside with highly rated schools, a variety of great shops and restaurants, and a local cultural scene – the Watermill theatre is much-loved by families,’ says Liz.

For London leavers, however, it is the quintessentially English villages that surround Newbury that make it so desirable: Hungerford, Kintbury, Thatcham, Bedwyn and Shalbourne have charming pubs, period houses and close-knit communities. Education is also a major draw: there are a large number of

‘Outstanding’ rated primaries in the area and good state secondaries including St Bartholomew’s in Newbury, The Downs School in Compton and Kennet School in Thatcham. In the private sector Cheam, Pinewood and Thorngrove are popular prep schools while public schools Bradfield, Marlborough and Dauntsey’s are all within easy reach. ‘Dauntsey’s has incredible facilities and is suddenly on everyone’s radar,’ Ben says.

The hurdle for those moving to the area is finding a house; there is precious little on the open market, and the best houses change hands quickly via word of mouth. Around Ashmansworth and the Woodhays, to the east of Newbury, it is almost impossible to buy as the area is made up of large private estates owned by families who will never sell off cottages and farmhouses. A bestin-class rectory with a few acres in this area recently sold for around £9 million. According to Horne, buyers can expect to pay around £2.5 million for a decent farmhouse with a few acres, while a fivebedroom village house surrounded by garden sells for around £1.5 million. In Newbury itself a family home sells for around £1.1 million, adds McLean.

While the Shields’ house is at odds with the rambling period house many families envisage moving to from London, they couldn’t recommend a new build more highly. Their house has a warranty for a start and it costs less to run than their Victorian terrace in Battersea, despite being three times larger. ‘Sustainable country houses are surely the way forward,’ Melissa says. ‘That way you can enjoy the countryside knowing you’re not making a negative impact.’

BEST FOR

LAZY SUNDAY LUNCH

There are no shortage of good watering holes: try The Pheasant at Highclere, The Royal Oak at Yattendon or the Hare & Hounds in Newbury.

A NIGHT AT THE RACES

There are evening race meets throughout the summer at Newbury Racecourse with live music and entertainment. (newburyracecourse.co.uk)

SOME LOCAL SPORT

Get tickets to a T20 game at the Hampshire Cricket Ground (ageasbowl.com) or book a day’s chalk stream fishing on the Itchen or the Test. (test-itchen.com)

FROM LEFT: Highclere Castle is just outside Newbury; the River Kennet flows through the town (visitnewbury.co.uk)

A SPA DAY

The five-star Cliveden House has indoor and outdoor pools, treatment rooms and restaurants surrounded by 376 acres of National Trust grounds. (clivedenhouse.co.uk)

CULTURE TRIP

Henry VIII and Elizabeth I are thought to have stayed at the 14th century Donnington Castle, near Newbury. Large defences still survive. (english-heritage.org.uk)

FOR SALE

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES; © VISIT NEWBURY

LETCOMBE BOWERS, From £1.1m

A chance to build your own ‘Grand Design’ without any of the hassle. A bespoke scheme of barn conversions and new houses approached by a mile long drive with incredible views and gardens by RHS Gold medalist Sarah Eberle. Get in quick. savills.com

NORTH END, £4m

Broad Mead Farm is a new build house with ground source heating in a private position near Kintbury. The enormous light-filled reception rooms and six bedrooms are waiting for a family to make their mark. Outside are lawns, gardens and woodland extending to nearly eight acres. savills.com

CHILTON FOLIAT, £5.95m

The Old Rectory not far from Hungerford has gracious reception rooms including an orangery and six spacious bedrooms. Amid the 11 acres of gardens and parkland are a two-bedroom staff flat, pool, tennis court and vegetable patch. struttandparker.com n

A NATURAL CHOICE

Looking for a di erent way of life? The Isle of Man, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, o ers its residents more space to breathe

It’s well known that nature plays an essential role in our mental and physical wellbeing, especially in this fast-paced modern world. Indeed, a recent survey by Link found that two-thirds of British adults say access to more or better natural spaces would increase their quality of life. The Isle of Man, with its rugged cliffs, emerald hills and golden beaches, has these in abundance, and the island was even designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2016.

One of 727 worldwide, Biosphere Reserves are ‘learning places for sustainable development’ – meaning conservation, culture and community all working together for a better future for people and planet. The Isle of Man is the only entire-nation biosphere in the world, making it the ideal home for people looking for a different pace of life that also puts nature first.

For Manx residents and businesses, the status means that the environment is always at the heart of island life. UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man’s

To find out more about relocating to the Isle of Man, visit locate.im

Business Partner Scheme was launched in 2016, and now has more than 300 participating organisations, which have all pledged to protect the island’s natural resources, develop its economy in a sustainable way, and support the island’s culture and heritage.

This initiative means business is booming across the Biosphere, with residents setting up companies that both benefit from and support the local environment. Take Helen Crosbie, who moved to the island five years ago from France and founded her company Isle of Man Salt Co during the pandemic.

‘I was fascinated with salt forming in rock pools on the beach opposite our house and soon started to make my own batches of salt at home,’ Helen explains. ‘When lockdown hit in March 2020, I decided to go for it and make a business from my idea. The Isle of Man is fortunate to be surrounded by designated marine nature reserves and the pristine waters make the most wonderful salt flakes.’

The designation also means there’s a real focus on supporting the local environment, as well as the community. ‘It is such a wonderful place to live and really has completely exceeded all my expectations,’ continues Helen. ‘It reminds me of my childhood growing up in a beautiful village in the Ribble Valley where we were free to roam. It’s a perfect mix of beaches, fishing villages and stunning open countryside.’

So if you’re looking for a different way of life that has nature at its heart, then the Isle of Man ticks all the right boxes.

MEET... TANYA ANDERSON

Isle of Man organic gardener and founder of website Lovely Greens

Tell us about yourself? Though I started my career in design and technology, about twelve years ago I gave it up and moved to the Isle of Man – an island that I’d never heard of before. It was here that Lovely Greens was born. Behind the website, socials, and YouTube is the message of growing your own food and creating a handmade home. Over the years it’s evolved into a way to share ideas for living simply and reconnecting with the soil.

How did you find your way to the Isle of Man? It was random chance! I was living in London and a tourism advert for the island came up on the television. It intrigued me and set the move in motion.

Why organic? Our natural world is suffering big time. Deforestation, erosion, soil-death, declining numbers of insects and wildlife in general. It’s a massive global crisis that we need to tackle collectively and individually. The vast majority of humanity’s food is grown completely reliant on the use of pesticides, fertilisers, herbicides, and other damaging agents. It’s leading us down a path of environmental destruction and a loss of biodiversity that hasn’t been seen since the last major extinction level event. Though the issue may seem too big for any one person to make a difference, by choosing to use our growing spaces for to regenerate the soil and provide habitat for wild creatures we each make a difference.

You recently won a UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Award for your work. How has the island inspired your projects?

The island is a truly special place. I think because of its relative isolation and smaller population it’s been able to hold on to its wild spaces and heritage. The people here also have a lot of pride in our green glens, rugged coastlines, and Manx culture. I, too, am very much inspired by the Isle of Man. Its landscapes and wild plants, old-fashioned rural living and traditions. The island has provided the perfect setting to rediscover oldfashioned living and to build a connection with the land.

Find out more about Tanya and her life on the Isle of Man at lovelygreens.com

COMMUNITY AND NATURE FIRST

Spotlight on three Manx businesses

1VERSA A sustainable restaurant based in Port Erin, Versa’s dedicated team either forages the majority of its ingredients from within walking distance, or sources them from local producers. The menu changes weekly to truly reflect the season and allows diners to swap their homegrown produce for meals. restaurantversa.im

2ISLE OF MAN SEA SALT What started as hobby when Helen Crosbie and her family moved to the Isle of Man turned into a full-time business during the pandemic, with salt hand-harvested from the beach near her home. Production is powered by 100 per cent renewable energy from the sun and wind, too. isleofmansaltco.com

3CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL

GROUP

A financial services company that’s been based on the island for 25 years, with its ‘Conscious Capital’ pledge Capital International has set the bold target of becoming carbon neutral by the end of 2025 and aims to plant two trees for each new account opened. capital-iom.com