house. Partnership Magazine

PARTNERSHIP

Highbuilding Farm, Vann Road, Fernhurst West Sussex GU27 3NL w w w. i a n a d a m - s m i t h . c o . u k

Welcome Page

PARTNERSHIP

Five years on from the launch of house. Partnership, David and Andrew have, over the last 18 months, witnessed a market unlike any previously experienced in their combined 50 years of experience.

Having come from the corporate world, David and Andrew were determined to move estate agency on, by developing a culture that was inclusive for their Partners, value for money for their customers and a truly unique estate agency brand with creative lifestyle marketing.

The success of house. Partnership and its continued growth are a testament to the hard work, service, brand awareness and the amazing Partners that have joined. With the Partners having an average of 20 years of experience, we believe that we have some of the best people in the business.

During the last five years, the company has successfully sold and let some of the finest properties and we continue to go above and beyond clients’ expectations.

house. Partnership has the privilege of advising clients on some of the most beautiful homes in London and the country and, after the recent extraordinary marketplace, our partners are very happy to update vendors as to the market value of their properties and provide advice on how we see the market ahead.

Whether it is a Central London pied-à-terre or a Country Estate, house. Partnership would very much like to assist you. dcarter@housepartnership.co.uk | agiller@housepartnership.co.uk

house. Partnership moving estate agency on We are house.

Telephone 0800 917 0447 London and Country 1

CONTENTS

Page 18 The Mitre Hotel at Hampton Court has been transformed. Meet the team behind the reinvention of this Grade II listed riverside building, which reopened at the height of the global pandemic. Now, thanks to the energy and vision of a talented trio at the helm, The Mitre is mightier than ever.

Page 38 Beaverbrook, near Leatherhead, was once the scene of high-society parties and political pow-wows as the home of press magnate Lord Beaverbrook. Explore what’s on offer there now that it has been revamped as a luxury retreat and spa offering new-age wellness packages, stylish accommodation and fine dining.

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Editorial content by Mandy Lebentz

Page 70 The international best-selling crime writer Peter James, who recently sold his West Sussex rectory through house., talks about plotting his page-turners from the top of a 70-foot tower at his new home in Jersey. He also reveals how he relaxes off-duty with vigorous exercise, classic car racing and a classic vodka martini.

Page 88 Rugby legend and former TV pundit Jeremy Guscott is now enjoying a different kind of highflying success as one of the owners of a boutique insurance broker. He explains what he loves about living in Bath and how blessed he feels to have found a new direction after enjoying such a distinguished sporting career.

country house town house period house modern house dream house Page 116 A-List party organisers Sharky & George are known for coming up with the best FUN. EVER. Helicopters, super yachts, subterranean caves? Nothing is off limits. Sharky (aka Charlie Astor) remembers the schoolboy prank that led to a seriously successful business providing high (end) jinks ... and reveals how he relaxes when he has some downtime.

moving house?

0800 917 0447

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NORTH WEST LONDON Noah Pearlman has 17 years’ experience as a property professional in both commercial and residential sales, previously at Lurot Brand as an Associate, helping clients to buy and sell houses in some of the most desirable addresses across central and north London.

He has also been a part of the rich history of London’s oldest estate agents, Prickett & Ellis, established in 1767, selling some of the finest homes across Crouch End and Highgate and the surrounding areas.

With a career covering everything from period properties and architectural gems to railway arches across London, and mostly working for uniquely independent agencies during that time, Hampstead, Highgate and the surrounding villages remain Noah’s focus, especially as he has lived in Muswell Hill for many years with his wife. npearlman@housepartnership.co.uk 020 4537 3188 07398 488 634

Hampstead | London | Guide £2.15 million | EPC: D 154

Regents Park | London | Guide £2.65 million | EPC: D

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INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

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Brod Wight

Architects

8a Baynes Mews, London NW3 020 7722 0810 office@brodwight.co.uk brodwight.co.uk

“Truly, it has been an absolute joy working with you…..

I will recommend you to anyone that will listen!” ““Absolutely amazing architects. Besides being a pleasure to deal with, they are undoubtedly the most talented architects one could wish to work with. Cannot recommend them highly enough” 7

Notting Hill | London | POA | EPC: C

Waterloo | London | Guide £895,000 | EPC: B 18

SOLD

Roland Gardens | London | Excess £2.075 million | EPC: D

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10 10

11 11

WIMBLEDON AND COOMBE Guy Leaning is our Wimbledon and Coombe Regional Partner. He has over 36 years’ experience as an estate agent, 33 of these within the Coombe Hill, New Malden and Wimbledon areas.

From joining Barnard Marcus 1989 to Lords Estate Agents in 1994 and, more recently, as a Director of Robert Holmes in Coombe, Guy has an extensive knowledge of the area and in the business, having built his own house and awarded ‘Best Single Unit’ in the 2011 International Property Awards. gleaning@housepartnership.co.uk 020 8947 9111 07375 534 020

UNDER OFFER

Chaldon | Surrey | Guide £2.5 million | EPC: D 1712

SOLD

Wimbledon | London | Guide £6.75 million | EPC: D 131

SOLD

Wimbledon | London | POA | EPC: B

114

SOLD

New Malden | Surrey | Guide £3.125 million | EPC: D

151

Wimbledon | London | Guide £3.25 million | EPC: E SOLD

Kingston-upon-Thames | Surrey | Guide £1.95 million | EPC: B

116

Kingston-upon-Thames | Surrey | Guide £3.75 million | EPC: C

171

Raising the bar

Ronnie Kimbugwe (left), Claire Fyfe Mumford & Sons bassist and Sussex resident Ted Dwane. and Hector Ross in the Whispering Angel Bar at The Mitre.

Picture: Jo Robbens Photography

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After an extensive makeover, The Mitre Hotel – next to Hampton Court Bridge – is now a luxurious yet laidback boutique hotel with a relaxed café and wine bar and sophisticated riverside brasserie.

Perhaps the horse-racing background of managing partner Hector Ross (he ran the catering operation for the Jockey Club) encouraged him to take the gamble of launching a new hotel group amidst the unpredictability of Covid. More likely, his 15 years-plus experience in the sector, including involvement at luxury hotel and spa Beaverbrook and running the successful chain of Bel & The Dragon inns, convinced investors that they were backing a winner.

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ith its quirky 17th-century layout, polished but unpretentious country-house vibe and convivial atmosphere, the reincarnated Mitre Hotel has provoked a level of fanfare that wouldn’t have gone amiss in Henry VIII’s day.

The historic Grade II listed inn, by the River Thames opposite Hampton Court Palace, underwent a major refurbishment in 2020 and re-opened in August that year with impeccably unfortunate timing. The accolades trumpeting this new venture were muffled by an unprecedented event: the global pandemic.

“We certainly picked a cracking time to do it,” said managing partner Hector Ross. Fortunately for the hospitality impresario, he has a dream team – and setback is not a word this forward-thinking bunch, which includes head chef Ronnie Kimbugwe and hotel manager Claire Fyfe, would consider entertaining.

If the Great Plague didn’t prevent the construction of the original building in 1665 – purportedly to house Charles II’s overspill of guests at the palace – why should Covid-19 impede its restoration?

So, while lockdowns and restrictions kept The Mitre’s rooms and restaurants closed for all but 79 days of 2020, the multi-million pound renovation moved up a gear.

“When the pandemic hit”, said Hector, “I decided we wouldn’t stand still. The refurbishment of the entire hotel was to be phased over two years – instead we turned it around in six months.”

May 17 2021 saw The Mitre re-open indoors, as well as out, after almost six months of pandemic interruption. Now the hotel and its restaurants are attracting a loyal following as well as flying the flag for Hector’s new Signet Collection, a group of hotels of a similar pedigree – all with fascinating histories and set in prestigious locations.

Already, there’s talk of the next venue – possibly in Berkshire – but in hushed tones for now.

Diners can expect imaginative British comfort food-style dishes featuring fresh, seasonal produce from trusted local suppliers.

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The expansive King Henry VIII suite has a four-poster, a separate lounge and is decorated in bold, rich colours. There’s a copper roll-top bath in the bathroom as well as a sleek walk-in shower.

But Hector acknowledges that a hotel is only as good as the people within it, which is why he’s brought on board Ronnie (his partner in Bel and The Dragon Inns) and Claire, an old friend and fellow Scot he’s known for years. The trio evidently enjoy working together and have an easy repartee.

“We’re an eclectic mix of people but as a team we all bring different qualities. What we have in common is a love for old historic buildings, great food and beverage, design, fun and people.

The guest comes first, that’s what underpins great hospitality, and it’s the glue that holds us together.”

“Our vision is to bring back to life tired but beautiful accommodation. We want to breathe new energy and passion into old assets in fabulous locations while keeping the historical connection. We see it as a new chapter for an age-old story,” added Hector.

“It’s also all about personality and not just being generic,” said Claire, a former interior designer at Colefax & Fowler and Susie Atkinson. It’s Claire’s first role as a hotel manager, but she brings both creative vision and culinary kudos to the table, having made it to the final of BBC’S MasterChef 2020.

Little details

“The personal aspect is really important to us in every little detail, from the individual décor of the rooms to the welcome cards that I handwrite myself, the welcome drinks when guests arrive and homemade cookies that we hang on the back of the door.

“We want every guest to enjoy a truly memorable experience.”

There’s certainly nothing remotely generic about the 36 bedrooms and two suites at the Mitre. No fewer than 244 paint shades have been used throughout so the building is as rich in colour as it is in history. Designed by Nicola Harding, who also

Kids will be queueing up to clamber into the curtained bunk beds in one of the family rooms.

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The cosy library has an “honesty bar” where guests can enjoy a peaceful nightcap.

Alfresco terraces at the 1665 Riverside Brasserie overlook the River Thames, with the Whispering Angel bar as a focal point.

worked on luxury hotel Beaverbrook just down the road near Leatherhead, the interiors are a harmonious blend of old and new.

The Mitre’s sense of history and place are reflected in the royal, cultural, classic or heritage-inspired room names. Every room is individually designed, featuring thoughtful touches that make guests feel at home as well as retro-style fridge mini bars, espresso machines and bespoke Bramley toiletries.

Stay in the King Henry VIII suite and bask in the luxurious largesse of a canopied four-poster or copper roll-top bath while enjoying spectacular views of the river and palace.

Elsewhere, you’ll find whimsical window seats, original fireplaces, interesting alcoves and cute corners all brought to life with edgy wallpaper prints and quirky antique fittings. There are dogfriendly rooms on the lower ground floor with access to an internal courtyard and among the family rooms is one with a curtained-off children’s area that boasts gorgeously inviting bunk beds, children’s books and toys and large red vintage toy train.

Wining and dining

The Mitre’s vibrant stand-out-from-the-crowd ethos is also evident in the kitchen, where Ronnie (Signet’s culinary and operations director) is king. Originally from Uganda, Ronnie grew up and went

The 1665 Riverside Brasserie offers “fine dining without stuffiness”.

to school in Devon, and used to help his mum prepare for dinner parties before going on to study culinary arts at Birmingham University.

Ronnie describes himself as “a Gordon Ramsay boy” – he worked for the renowned chef for some seven years, which was both “educational and “pretty epic”. He went on to become sous-chef at world-class Claridges before moving to Bel & The Dragon country inns, where he spent nine years as group head chef and met and worked alongside Hector.

Known for his unique take on modern British comfort food, Ronnie believes that good food is nurturing. “I’m driven by people having a good time. We want to bring people to the table because that brings them together. We make interesting dishes that they’ll want to talk about, that are incredibly tasty and consistently produced.”

“It’s why we champion British produce, local, independent growers, and suppliers we know and trust. We will serve our guests heart-warming and memory making dishes, done properly, genuinely”.

The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court Road, East Molesey Surrey KT8 9BN. 020 8979 9988. www.mitrehamptoncourt.com

Boat trips and parties can be arranged by the Mitre team.

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ESHER AND COBHAM Henry Watson started his property career in the commercial sector in 2008, having completed a degree in Architectural Studies at Newcastle University, followed by two years of work experience in Sydney before returning to London to complete a Masters in Property Investment at South Bank University. Henry decided to move across to the residential sector in 2009 and it can be said has never looked back.

Henry started his career in estate agency at Winkworth, which, during the three years of working there in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, the office was awarded the most successful franchised sales turnover in the company. He has since, over a period of 8 years, worked and managed teams for both Strutt & Parker and Chesterton’s in central London.

The ideal opportunity for Henry came about when he joined house.

Partnership and is now in Esher.

With three young children Henry is always kept busy at home, but still likes to keep fit and enjoy the outdoors, whether its running, going for walks, playing tennis or getting out his dusty golf clubs. hwatson@housepartnership.co.uk 01932 283 283 07944 876 591

UNDER OFFER

Ripley | Surrey | Guide £575,000 | EPC: C 9 122

Cobham | Surrey | Guide £5.75 million | EPC: C

231

SOLD

Esher | Surrey | Guide £2.25 million | EPC: C SOLD

Dorking | Surrey | Guide £1.25 million | EPC: D 124

SOLD

Cobham | Surrey | Guide £2.5 million | EPC: D

251

Ripley | Surrey | Guide £10 million

126

UNDER OFFER

Oxshott | Surrey | Guide £1.3 million | EPC: D

SOLD

Ripley | Surrey | Guide £1.45 million 271

B U Y-TO - L E T M O R TG AG E S

NEW BUILD M O RTG AG E S

H I G H VA LU E M O R TG AG E S

OV E R S E AS M O RTG AG E S

Whether you are buying your first home, moving up the property ladder or adding to a buy-to-let portfolio, talk to Paul Mavin, one of our mortgage advisers.

We make it happen.

+44 (0)20 7330 8569

pmavin@spf.co.uk

spf.co.uk

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. CHANGES IN THE EXCHANGE RATE MAY INCREASE THE STERLING EQUIVALENT OF YOUR DEBT. A fee of up to 1% of the loan amount is payable. For example, if we arrange a loan of £100,000 the fee could be £1,000. The exact fee charged will depend on the amount of work undertaken.

SPF Private Clients Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA does not regulate some forms of buy-to-let, overseas and commercial mortgages.

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Effingham | Surrey | POA | EPC: E

SOLD

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WEYBRIDGE AND WALTON-ON-THAMES David Harvey has always lived in Elmbridge and has spent the last 13 years living in Weybridge with his family.

With over 23 years’ experience he has an enviable depth of knowledge and expertise in all things property and, prior to joining house. Partnership in 2018, held senior roles in Savills and John D Wood.

David is a proud Weybridge resident and in his spare time has acquired an enthusiasm for running. When not walking the family dog, Chester the Labrador, David can be seen on the touchline at Reeds Weybridge cheering on twin sons James and Fraser. dharvey@housepartnership.co.uk 01932 283 288 07398 038 950

SOLD

SOLD

Weybridge | Surrey | Guide £595,000 | EPC: C 11 132

SOLD

SOLD

Weybridge | Surrey | Guide £2.15 million | EPC: C

Weybridge | Surrey | Guide £2.15 million | EPC: C

331

SOLD

Weybridge | Surrey | Guide £1.395 million | EPC: E UNDER OFFER

Weybridge | Surrey | Guide £850,000 | EPC: G 134

SOLD

Weybridge | Surrey | Guide £630,000 | EPC: D

SOLD

Walton-on-Thames | Surrey | Guide £825,000 | EPC: C 351

SOLD

Weybridge | Surrey | Guide £775,000 | EPC: D

UNDER OFFER

Weybridge | Surrey | Guide £995,000 | EPC: B 136

SOLD

Weybridge | Surrey | Guide £695,000 | EPC: D

SOLD

Woking | Surrey | Guide £1.6 million | EPC: F 371

Beaverbrook’s

Framed pictures at reception introduce some of the eminent writers, artists, politicians and actors who were guests of Lord Beaverbrook in the past.

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new age

company Longshot in 2011. The entrepreneurs behind Longshot, Joel Cadbury and Ollie Vigors, owned London’s Groucho Club and have had extensive experience in luxury inns and restaurants.

The prestige hotel now has a total of 35 boutique-style bedrooms, three restaurants, a state-of-the-art spa, cookery school and countless outdoor pursuits to enjoy in its 470 acres of magnificent parkland and grounds.

Bereft of its comfort-seeking clientele during the coronavirus pandemic, Beaverbrook has been re-embracing them since fully reopening in May 2021 with a raft of luxurious packages designed to soothe body and mind.

And if you’re looking to step away from the hurly burly of modern life into a world of old-fashioned opulence and tranquillity where you can recuperate and reconnect with nature, Beaverbrook has won rave reviews.

“Grandeur and opulence ooze from every room in the house... but a sympathetic refurbishment means it retains a family feel at heart,” says The Telegraph.

“The views couldn’t be greener, the landscape more bucolic – and yet, just outside London, it’s anything but far-flung,” enthuses luxury travel club Mr&Mrs Smith.

Grand designs

Less than 20 miles from central London, the quintessentially English Beaverbrook is certainly an extremely convenient and wellappointed base from which to commune with nature.

The opulence and glamour of a bygone era still pervade the main house, which has uninterrupted views across Ranmore and the Mole Valley that must be little changed from the days when Lord Beaverbrook held court.

The house was originally built by Birmingham businessman Abraham Dixon in 1866 when it was known as Cherkley Yews. In 1893, the house was largely destroyed by a fire sparked by lightning and Dixon re-built it in fashionable French Renaissance style, with unusual mansard roofs.

After Dixon’s death it was put up for sale and discovered, quite by chance, by the future Lord Beaverbrook.

The story goes that the media mogul was driving past the mansion in 1910 with his friend Rudyard Kipling, saw the For Sale sign, and knew instantly that it was the place for him.

He snapped up the estate for £30,000 and went on to make major improvements, adding electricity and heating, a swimming pool and the UK’s first private indoor cinema (where Churchill and Beaverbrook would watch Pathé newsreels during the Second World War).

It remained Beaverbrook’s home for the rest of his life. Following his death in 1964, his wife lived there for another 30 years after which the house was left empty and fell into disrepair, until restoration works started in 2002.

By 2007, the house was renovated and opened to the public.

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f walls could talk, those at Beaverbrook would doubtless buzz with erudite conversation and political intrigue. The former owner of what is now a luxury country house hotel, Max Aitken – Lord Beaverbrook – was an influential press baron and great friend of Winston Churchill. The parties he hosted were legendary and guests included many leading figures of 20th century society.

HG Wells, Harold McMillan, Rudyard Kipling, Charlie Chaplin, Rebecca West, Jean Cocteau, Elizabeth Taylor and Ian Fleming were just a few of the famous politicians, writers, actors and artists who stayed at the stately home. Framed prints of past A-listers now welcome you into the reception at this glamorous hotel and spa, and the estate visitor book is on view should you wish to check out in whose hallowed footsteps you follow when you visit.

Beaverbrook, which opened in 2016 and was completed in 2018 with the launch of the Coach House and Spa, was given a major £90 million refurbishment after it was bought by leisure and hotel

The view from the terrace at dusk.

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The life and loves of ‘The Beaver’ War came, and in 1940 Prime Minister William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Churchill appointed Lord Beaverbrook as Beaverbrook, was born in 1879 in Ontario, Canada. He was one of 10 children of a Minister of Aircraft Production. Sir Winston wrote later: “I felt that our life depended on Scottish-born Presbyterian minister and the the flow of new aircraft. I needed his vital and daughter of a farmer. vibrant energy.”

As a student, he set up a school newspaper Beaverbrook married twice. His first wife, but his business acumen led him into the Canadian Gladys Drury, with whom he had world of banking and mergers. He left Canada three children, died in 1927. Later in life, at the for the UK in 1910 at 30, having made his money as a financier. age of 82, he married Lady Dunn, the widow of his friend James Dunn. He is said to have had Aitken became friends with Conservative a great many love affairs, despite being small, politician Andrew Bonar Law, the only gnome-like and described as “hideously ugly”.

Canadian to become Prime Minister of the Yet, women seemed drawn to him.

United Kingdom.

“It would have been hard to resist (Bonar Law is sometimes known as ‘The Beaverbrook’s charm,” said one biographer.

Unknown Prime Minister’ because he was the “Some people did think he was a very sinister shortest-serving PM of the 20th century, with and corrupting figure in British public life. I just 211 days in office.) think he had great charm and some marvellous Following a stint as MP for Ashton-underBeaverbrook wrote several books on qualities, and he was a great newspaperman.”

Lyne, Aitken was given a peerage by Lloyd politics and history.

While Beaverbrook’s main base was George at the end of the First World War Cherkley, he also had homes in London, after pulling off the huge political coup of ousting Herbert Askwith as Prime Minister and getting Lloyd New York, Jamaica, Canada, and France.

George in.

He died at Cherkley in June 1964. In his declining years, In December 1916, Aitken bought the London Daily Express, Lord Beaverbrook wrote: “Many epithets, favourable and which became the highest circulating newspaper in the world unfavourable, have been applied to my career, but the word during the 1930s. ‘uninteresting’ is not one of them.”

In 2011, the property was purchased by Longshot, which set about transforming it into a luxury country house hotel while retaining the fascinating historical features of the past.

Comfort and style

The main house has 18 rooms, all themed around the famous guests of the past. The Elizabeth Taylor Suite still features a double shower – reputedly installed to accommodate Taylor and Burton who enjoyed showering together – and a giant four-poster.

The Winston Churchill Suite has the same bath from where the PM would dictate to his secretary – she on a chair at the foot of the tub – and a second door so that he could escape in case of assassination attempts.

Also situated in the main house are the library, where you can browse Lord Beaverbrook’s original collection of leather-bound books; the morning room, a spacious and comfortable spot for morning coffee or afternoon tea; and the art deco Sir Frank’s Bar, where you can sip cocktails and snack on Japanese-inspired tacos on topaz-blue velvet stools.

Sweep down the magnificent Victorian staircase or sit back in plush comfort in the cinema, with its original wood-panelling and lighting, and enjoy a thoroughly modern blockbuster.

Throughout the house, there are nods to the past alongside contemporary touches that provide supreme comfort. Slouchy sofas, abstract prints, silk lampshades and seagrass floors blend cleverly with roll top baths, grand four-posters and elegant antiques.

The grand entrance hall at Beaverbrook is swathed in light from a domed atrium above.

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The Garden Room restaurant serves seasonal Anglo-Italian fare in a verdant setting.

There are six Coach House rooms and suites which are very popular with families and whimsically sophisticated, with textured wallpaper, pastel furnishings, and patterned fabrics.

The 11 quirky but cosy Garden House rooms are all named after herbs grown in the hotel’s kitchen garden and feature botanical themed artwork, country farmhouse-inspired furniture, and historical treasures.

Fine dining

Beaverbrook has three restaurants: the Japanese Grill, headed by ex-Noma chef Wojciech Popow; the Garden House restaurant which is nestled behind the estate’s traditional kitchen garden; and the Coach House Deli (by day) which transforms into an Italian pizzeria (by night).

The Japanese Grill is Beaverbrook’s signature restaurant and chef Popow offers an elegant menu of delicately flavoured sushi, sashimi and nigiri and the finest cuts of meat and fish. He is passionate about combining foraged fermented and garden grown ingredients with Japanese fare, and dishes include the Toro Tartar with Yuzu Miso and Fresh Truffles; Charcoaled Wagyu with Juniper Miso and Sansho Pepper; and Turbot Nigiri with Wood Ants and Marigold Oil. The Garden House sits behind the traditional walled kitchen garden, where chef Barret Jones, who has some of New Zealand’s most sought-after restaurants on his CV, serves up rustic, Mediterranean-style dishes showcasing the very best seasonal produce.

In the Coach House Deli, hotel and spa guests can enjoy superfood salads and cold pressed juices as well as cakes and flatbreads baked in the wood-fired pizza oven. The menu changes daily but always features fresh, seasonal ingredients, many of which are picked that very morning from the kitchen gardens.

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Enjoy sushi and sashimi in sophisticated surroundings at the Japanese Grill.

Above (top to bottom): The Morning Room in the main house, the Yates Superior Turret Suite; and a Coach House suite bathroom.

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The colourful stained glass ceiling in the spa was designed by glass architect Brian Clarke.

Spa experiences

The spa at Beaverbrook has been designed to be nurturing and nature-infused and architectural artist Brian Clarke encapsulates this ethos in his interiors, with stained glass windows, mosaics and paintings inspired by flowering plants around the estate, such as the rose, wisteria and apple.

There are six treatment rooms, a beauty room, barber’s salon and English bath house, which is modelled on the traditional Turkish hammam.

The outdoor pool and children’s splash pool are complemented by a 20-metre indoor pool, while the gym features Technogym Artis equipment, ready for sessions of cardio, resistance, weight training and stretching while you enjoy spectacular views of the Surrey Hills through floor-to-ceiling windows. After a workout, unwind in the thermal spa, where there’s a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and ice fountain.

Restorative retreats

Space to recharge and re-energise in the spa.

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In addition to its spa facilities, Beaverbrook runs a number of complementary therapy days and retreats designed to invigorate body and mind and inspire guests of all ages to reconnect with themselves and with nature.

Celtic Druid one and two-day retreats use a combination of Druidic ritual, sacred singing, craftwork, traditional folk stories and meditations led by experienced Celtic Druids to help participants deepen their relationship with themselves and promote healing through connection with specific trees and plants. The aim is to engage with the wisdom and energies of the woodland to help guests achieve a greater understanding of their life path.

Another programme, called ‘The Mindful TCM Journey with James Mutkin’ – combines elements of traditional Chinese massage, Thai yoga, Shiatsu and acupuncture. Woven together using soundscapes, gongs and breathwork, this one-day course is designed to create an immersive, mindful bodywork experience to achieve an inner state of harmony and balance Guests will be guided by qualified acupuncturist and traditional

The outdoor pool is just the place to relax on a balmy summer’s day.

Chinese medicine practitioner James Mutkin who holds a Bachelor of Medicine from Beijing University as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. As a TCM practitioner, he looks at the interaction between mind, body and environment in helping to target health complaints.

Two-day health retreats focusing on digestive complaints will also be running in February, March and May 2022, run by educator, therapist and gut-health expert, Amanda Porter.

Designed to support optimal digestive function, the programme will address common digestive problems such as IBS, acid reflux, constipation, bloating, nutritional challenges, and more. Participants will learn how individual internal architecture impacts digestion, how daily life affects the function of the body’s ‘second brain’ and how to support the gut’s natural healing process.

The great outdoors

Beaverbrook offers a wealth of outdoor pursuits, from clay pigeon shooting on selected dates, to fishing on the lakes, badminton, petanque, croquet, bike rides and tennis.

Families are particularly well catered for with endless activities to keep youngsters entertained, the pinnacle of which is a gigantic tree-house hidden within the hotel’s woodland.

There’s also Sharky & George’s kids’ club every weekend, which is guaranteed to separate kids from their screens without protest and lure their imaginations and energy into den building, treasure hunts, creating time capsules, water slides and night safaris to name but a few of the (healthy!) kids’ treats on offer.

Beaverbrook, Reigate Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8QX. 01372 571300; beaverbrook.co.uk

Beaverbrook boasts 470 acres of beautifully manicured grounds, parkland and ancient woodlands.

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Guildford | Surrey | POA | EPC: C

GUILDFORD AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES Liz Berman has more than 30 years’ experience. She started her career in London initially based in Parsons Green then moving to work in Kensington for many years before she returned to the Surrey Hills, where she grew up, and established an estate agency business in Shere. After selling the agency in Shere to a local company, she went on to manage their Guildford office. She joined Savills Guildford Country House department and then worked in the Strutt & Parker Country House team until 2019.

Liz still lives within the Surrey Hills, and is a keen walker with her two dogs and rides regularly across Blackheath. lberman@housepartnership.co.uk 01483 266 720 07538 979 969

SOLD

Wanborough | Surrey | Guide £2.5 million | EPC: E 13 146

UNDER OFFER

Shalford | Surrey | Guide £2.85 million | EPC: D

471

Albury | Surrey | Guide £1.15 million SOLD

Albury | Surrey | Guide £1.25 million 148

SOLD

Albury | Surrey | Guide £1.75 million | EPC: C

SOLD

Shere | Surrey | Guide £2.45 million | EPC: D 491

SOLD

Albury | Surrey | Guide £3 million | EPC: E

SOLD

Shere | Surrey | Guide £1.85 million | EPC: D 150

SOLD

Albury | Surrey | Guide £800,000 | EPC: B SOLD

Normandy | Surrey | Guide £1.195 million

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ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING - CONSTRUCTION 01483 453 453 arch@mitchellevans.co.uk www.mitchellevans.co.uk 53

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Bramley | Surrey | POA | EPC: E

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CRANLEIGH AND SURREY HILLS Nick Moulden has lived and worked in the Surrey Hills for the last 20 years.

Like most of the Partners at house.

Partnership his formative years were spent working for corporate agents, including Hamptons and 15 years with Burns & Webber. These years of experience have provided a broad knowledge and understanding of the people and places in the Surrey Hills, Waverley and West Sussex.

In Nick’s own words “I feel blessed to have grown up in this area, surrounded by such beautiful countryside and, with two sons and various animals, much of my spare time is spent enjoying the great outdoors. The country house market has always been my passion and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to spend my days meeting so many interesting people and selling such unique and beautiful properties.” nmoulden@housepartnership.co.uk 01483 266 700 07508 503 619

SOLD

Farley Heath | Surrey | Guide £1.45 million | EPC: E 15 156

SOLD

Gomshall | Surrey | Guide £4.5 million

571

UNDER OFFER

Shamley Green | Surrey | Guide £2.5 million | EPC: C

Holmbury St Mary | Surrey | Guide £1.95 million | EPC: E 158

UNDER OFFER

Holmbury St Mary | Surrey | Guide £2.35 million | EPC: D

SOLD

Shamley Green | Surrey | Guide £650,000 | EPC: D 591

Cranleigh | Surrey | Guide £2.5 million

SOLD

Cranleigh | Surrey | Guide £1.25 million | EPC: D 160

SOLD

Cranleigh | Surrey | Guide £1.75 million | EPC: B

Dunsfold | Surrey | POA | EPC: F 611

SOLD

Walliswood | Surrey | Excess £2.5 million | EPC: C

SOLD

Abinger Common | Surrey | Excess £4 million | EPC: F 162

SOLD

Gomshall | Surrey | Excess £2 million

SOLD

Shere | Surrey | Guide £525,000 631

UNDER OFFER

Wormley | Surrey | Guide £1.75 million

SOLD

The Sands | Surrey | Guide £2.25 million | EPC: B 164

SOLD

Shackleford | Surrey | Excess £1.95 million | EPC: B

SOLD

Tilford | Surrey | Guide £1.45 million | EPC: D 651

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Shamley Green | Surrey | Guide £10 million

SOLD

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Hascombe | Surrey | Guide £5.25 million | EPC: E

168

SOLD

Ewhurst | Surrey | Guide £2.5 million | EPC: E

SOLD

Haslemere | Surrey | Guide £1.995 million | EPC: D 691

Murder, motors and martini...

Mumford & Sons bassist and Sussex resident Ted Dwane.

Peter James pictured in the churchyard at St Brelade’s in Jersey.

Picture: Suki Dhanda

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A few of Peter’s bestsellers, including (far left) Dead Simple, the first in the series of DS Roy Grace novels published in 2005 and adapted for television starring John Simm, I Follow You, a recent fast-paced thriller that looks inside the mind of a stalker and (far right) his latest novel featuring DS Roy Grace, Left You Dead.

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sea to St Malo, to the south, and right across the island ith more than 40 novels to his name, global to the west coast. It also houses my collection of police sales of more than 20 million, a total of 17 memorabilia from around the world.

Sunday Times No.1s and numerous awards, Wherever I travel, on either research or book promotions, Brighton-born Peter James has won legions I try to meet police officers, invariably when they know I of loyal fans since his first-ever novel – an undercover spy have a police museum, they gift me an item for it, whether thriller – was published back in 1981. a helmet, a truncheon, a badge, an old set of handcuffs, Educated at Charterhouse School in Surrey, Peter’s talent badges, plaques, and the like. for writing was first recognised when he won the poetry prize It helps my writing to look up from my desk and see all there in 1967. He went on to study at Ravensbourne Film these objects everywhere.

School before moving to Canada where he spent several years as a screen writer and film producer.

After returning to the UK to work in the film industry, Peter started to write novels, the first of which, Dead Letter Drop, was published in 1981 by W H Allen & Co. Peter maintains close links with Brighton and Sussex, where he lived for many years – in Ditchling and in Beddingham, near Lewes – and particularly with Sussex Police, going back to 1981 when he became good friends with a detective who came round to take fingerprints after he was burgled.

For almost a decade, he lived with his wife Lara and their many pet animals in a Peter’s former home, set in more than seven acres, near Henfield in grand Victorian home in Woodmancote, near West Sussex was sold through house. Partnership and Knight Frank.

Henfield, which also featured in several of his books, including The House on Cold Hill.

What’s your favourite room in the house and why?

Definitely the tower. On a clear day I can see across the

Where do you write? Do you need peace and quiet in order to be creative?

I love to have a quiet environment, and not many people climb the 72 steps up the tower to bother me! But as a writer who has to deliver at least a book a year and has to spend a great deal of that year researching and promoting books, I’ve learned to write pretty much anywhere. I’ve actually finished two novels on long-haul flights, free of all diversions. I can write in the back of a taxi, hotel lobbies and find I write really well in hotel rooms, away from distractions and where coffee appears at the push of a button.

What do you draw on for inspiration?

All and everything. In normal times I go out with the police in Sussex, the Met and various forces both in the UK and abroad on a regular basis as well as the other emergency services.

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You recently relocated to Jersey from Sussex. What sort of property do you live in now and what attracted you to it?

My wife and I live in a house that dates back to 1450 – a Jersey manor house, built of Jersey granite. I was first attracted to the property as it has a tall, square 70-foot tower – and I had always wanted to write from the top of a tower! We also have several acres of grounds and it adjoins farmland, perfect for our growing menagerie of animals – currently, two dogs (Spooky, a labradoodle and Wally, a golden doodle), two Burmese cats (Willy and Woo), four pygmy goats and numerous hens, Indian runner ducks, tufted ducks, guinea fowl, quail and domestic rabbits.

Police line-up: Cops’ caps are among items of police memorabilia Peter has collected over the years.

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to eight miles a day, playing hard tennis, cycling and just being out with the dogs.

Reading is, of course, another big switch off, as is, like most of us, watching good TV drama. My biggest switch off is motor racing.

I race classic cars – currently a 1962 Corvette and a 1965 Mini Cooper S at race meetings such as the Goodwood Revival, the Silverstone Classic, Brands Hatch and other circuits.

From the moment I arrive for a weekend race meeting, I’m completely absorbed – with any issues with the car, with practice, qualifying, scrutineering, studying the videos of each lap, etc. I go back to work on Monday mornings with my brain totally refreshed, and so often with some issue with a book that’s been bothering me for days magically solved by my subconscious while I was focused on the racing.

Where would be your favourite place to go on holiday and why?

I have always loved the south of France. I spent many childhood summers down there. The light, the scents and the food and wine. I can speak fluent French so I always feel comfortable in France.

Peter and his wife, Lara, with their two dogs, Spooky and Wally.

Many of my ideas come from stories I get told or from what I see. For me, it is really important to be authentic in all I write and to get all aspects of policing accurate.

What was it like to see your characters brought to life in Grace, the ITV adaptation of Dead Simple, your debut novel in the Roy Grace series? Will there be more TV dramas?

John Simm is exactly how the Roy Grace of my imagination looks.

I am in the middle of writing my next Roy Grace, and find I have John Simm in my head when I am writing. What I particularly love about working with John is that like me, he is a stickler for detail.

His father-in-law is an ex Met copper of 30 years experience and John says he always shouts at the screen when TV dramas get the policing aspects wrong. So John has a very very big incentive to get things right! I was delighted with the reviews and viewing figures so we hope there will be more!

What advice would you give to a would-be thriller writer?

My best advice would be to read, read and reread the big-selling books of the genre you would like to write yourself. Literally deconstruct them as a student doctor would anatomise a cadaver, or a trainee mechanic take apart cars and engines. That is how I started, mentally deconstructing those books I loved to read and the kind I wanted to write.

How do you relax?

Writing is a sedentary occupation, so I relax by doing hard physical exercise at least once a day, six days a week. I love running three Peter at work on his latest Roy Grace novel – at the top of his 70-foot tower with views to St Malo in France.

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Favourite food?

Having so many hens, I just love eggs and making creative dishes with them, such as spicy omelettes. Although at times nothing can beat two fresh boiled eggs and simple toast and butter – perfection!

My wife and I are both huge fish and shellfish lovers. I love oysters, raw and cooked, and here in Jersey we are lucky to have the best oysters in the world, and I love lobster, again which we have in plentiful supply. I’m a Type-2 diabetic so tend to avoid desserts, unless it’s bread and butter pudding or lemon polenta cake – then I’m done for!

Preferred drink?

For me no evening is complete unless it starts with a perfect vodka martini with lemon wiped around the rim and four green nocellara olives. Then after that, a decent white burgundy – and the French still do that style of wine best.

Do you have a lifetime passion (other than writing)?

Motor racing. I have loved cars ever since I fell out of my Dad’s car on Brighton sea front when I was two years old! At Christmas that year, I was with my Dad out delivering presents. He stopped to take a card and present to my sister’s godmother, on a farm. I slipped behind the wheel of his Standard Vanguard, somehow let the handbrake off and we rolled several feet into the duckpond. I sat there, mortified, with water over the front of the bonnet, wondering if he would notice when he came back…!

Specialists in Pre-purchase Surveys of Historic, Complex and High Value Properties • All Property Types Inspected • Period Buildings, Grade II, Grade II* and Grade I • Estates • Farms • Prime Contemporary Buildings

• Converted and Purpose-built Apartments • Investments • Residential and Commercial • Heritage Statements • Building Archaeology Reports

London: 0207 101 9735 | Hove: 01273 495 984 www.desbruslais.co.uk

Northchapel | West Sussex | Guide £4.75 million

SOLD

SOLD

Rowhook | West Sussex | Guide £1.95 million | EPC: D

SOLD

Fittleworth | West Sussex | Guide £2 million 176

SOLD

Slinfold | West Sussex | Guide £1.85 million | EPC: F

SOLD

Redford | West Sussex | Guide £6 million | EPC: D 771

CHICHESTER AND SOUTH DOWNS Felicity Chetwood is our Regional Partner for West Sussex, joining us in 2018. She has gained extensive experience and an invaluable insight into the property market in the county, covering Chichester and the South Downs for the past 31 years, selling country houses, town houses, beach houses and cottages formerly as a Director at Hamptons International and a Partner at Strutt & Parker, as well as in her private brokerage firm.

Felicity loves the special combination of the beautiful South Downs, the equally lovely Chichester Harbour and the renownedSOLD beaches that her area includes. She lives on the harbour and is an enthusiastic (fair weather!) sailor who also enjoys bracing winter walks on the Downs or beaches with her family. fchetwood@housepartnership.co.uk 01243 717 417 07538 222 145

Merston | West Sussex | Guid SOLD

West Stoke | West Sussex | Guide £1.45 million | EPC: F 17 178

SOLD

SOLD

Merston | West Sussex | Guide £2.4 million

de £2.4 million SOLD

West Hampnett | West Sussex | Guide £800,000 791

SOLD

West Stoke | West Sussex | Guide £1.75 million

SOLD

Birdham | West Sussex | Guide £1.1 million | EPC: E 180

SOLD

Birdham | West Sussex | Guide £1.5 million | EPC: D

SOLD

Chichester | West Sussex | Guide £2.4 million | EPC: B 811

SOLD

Chichester | West Sussex | Guide £1.5 million SOLD

Itchenor | West Sussex | Guide £1.8 million | EPC: B

182

SOLD

Bosham | West Sussex | Guide £1.9 million | EPC: B SOLD

Fittleworth | West Sussex | Guide £1.25 million | EPC: F 831

SOLD

West Chiltington | West Sussex | Guide £2.35 million | EPC: E

184

UNDER OFFER

Slaugham | West Sussex | Guide £2.795 million

851

UNDER OFFER

West Chiltington | West Sussex | Excess £1.25 million | EPC: C SOLD

Ifield | West Sussex | Guide £925,000 186

Scrums

to...

Jeremy Guscott leaves Eric Elwood in his wake during the Five Nations England v Ireland game in April 1998.

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Picture: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo/David Davies

eremy Guscott has been lauded as one of the greatest talents in English rugby, with a career spanning over 20 years. He played at club level with Bath, with the England team, which won three Grand Slams in five years, and with the victorious 1989 British Lions and 1997 Lions Team. Celebrated for his gliding running style, he was part of a remarkable boom in the game’s popularity.

Born in July 1965, he was raised in Bath and educated at Ralph Allen School. After a debilitating groin injury forced Guscott to call time on his career, he became a TV sports commentator and radio regular. He has been an ambassador for the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and was awarded an MBE for his services to Rugby Union.

What is it about Bath/Somerset that makes it a great place to live?

Have you ever lived anywhere else?

I’ve been born and bred here and lived here all my life, so I suppose I take it a bit for granted. But I am grateful to live in such a beautiful city and I absolutely love it. Now I’m older, I can compare it to the many places I have travelled to through rugby – and I’ve been to some very nice places! With the Roman baths and the architecture, it’s a destination that lots of people want to visit.

Would you ever consider moving to another part of the country – or even overseas?

Never say never. My brother has lived in Dubai for 20-odd years.

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When I first went out to Australia in 1987, I fell in love with Brisbane. I was a bit intimidated by Sydney at first but the more I went back, the more I enjoyed it. Now Brisbane seems a lot slower in comparison. I love visiting big cities, including London, but I wouldn’t want to live in one. Bath is much smaller – around 70,000 people, so it’s less frenetic.

Whereabouts are you in Bath and what kind of house do you live in?

I’m on the east side of Bath about 25 minutes’ easy walk into the middle of town, or just five minutes in a taxi. There’s a bit of rivalry between Bathonians – the BA1s (north of the river) and the BA2s (south). I’m a BA1 – living this side means it’s easier to get to the motorway without going through town. I live near a dual carriageway, on a main road, in a 1960s semi-detached house, which had three bedrooms when we bought it, but we’ve added a nice extension. Now we have four bedrooms (a master en-suite), an extra bathroom, a big open-plan kitchen/diner/snug, big sitting room and a study/office and downstairs shower/cloakroom.

I own next door as well, which we’re in the process of refurbishing.

We’ve a decent-sized three-tiered garden with a terrace for entertaining.

Which is your favourite room in the house?

Mostly it’s just my wife, Saz, and I here and we spend quite a lot

insurance sums of time in the kitchen/diner/snug, where we like to watch TV. We’ve enjoyed The Good Fight (a US legal drama set in Chicago) and we like Grand Designs and property renovation-type shows and a well written, well-acted drama. And sport – of course!

What’s the one home gadget you couldn’t live without?

The remote control!

AGA or no AGA? Induction. Saz does most of the cooking and she prefers an induction cooker.

How do you like to relax at home when you’re not working?

One of my favourite days is a Sunday, when I might go out for a walk to earn my right to eat a beautiful Sunday roast. Always with Saz; sometimes with the kids or friends. (One of my three daughters is in San José, California, one lives in London and the other is just about to buy her first property in Bath).

Jeremy in his role as commentator for the BBC with fellow pundit Jonathan Davies and presenter John Inverdale. Picture: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo (Photographer:Joe Giddens)

Do you have a favourite place to go on holiday?

Cape Town – it’s such a beautiful city and the food and drink is some of the best in the world. There’s Table Mountain, the sea, safaris – lots of adventure there. If you’re a foodie or wine lover, there’s a village called Franschhoek, which we visited a couple of years ago. I heard that of the 20 best restaurants in South Africa, 14 were in Franschhoek. We stayed there a few nights and then went south to Hermanus, which is well-known for whale watching.

Unfortunately we missed the whales because it wasn’t the season for spotting them.

Favourite food and drink?

I love all types of food. I’ve mentioned Sunday roasts but when I go out I enjoy a good grill – and I also love seafood, Chinese, Indian – I like it all really! I’m also open to experimentation and trying new things. My favourite red wine at the moment is ‘The Guv’nor’ – it’s Spanish, quite sweet and fruity, and very reasonably priced – it’s really smooth too. I could drink it like a pint!

Do you still keep fit?

I do Peloton and I play golf when I can.

Is there one rugby match during your career that you wish you could re-play?

I don’t look back too much. I’ve been dealt a good hand and to want more or to change how a game was played would be greedy.

I’ve really enjoyed my career and still do. Of course, every match I played in, I wanted to win with my teammates and I was fortunate that most of them we did, but some big ones we didn’t. I genuinely wouldn’t change things though; I got a good deck.

Are you still involved in sports commentary?

No. My last appearance for the BBC was back in March. I didn’t want to make a big fanfare about it, but it was the right time to step aside. Weekends are more precious these days and business is going very well, so it’s nice to retire – rather than be retired! I managed 20 very enjoyable years. I made a lot of good friends, had many laughs, and of course we had the best seats and the very best experiences.

How did you get involved in insurance?

I got involved through friends. Chris Blackham, Trevor Davies, John Sims and I are the owners of Vizion Insurance Brokers. We were playing golf and they were talking about a business. I had a gut feeling that whatever they did would be successful because they’re such clever people. I said I’d love to be involved and when John asked me, I shook his hand off! I wanted to learn from them all about the insurance business from the ground up and that’s what I’ve done. I’m now FCA [Financial Conduct Authority] approved.

What’s your role at Vizion?

My title is Business Development Director, which involves visiting clients, reviewing their insurances and broking it with underwriters. I also try to build relationships with people who introduce us to clients, so wealth managers, mortgage advisers, accountants, solicitors – it’s all about developing connections with businesses and individuals who can introduce us to high-net worth people and commercial opportunities. It’s very varied and what I really enjoy most is helping people. I really feel strongly that a lot of beautiful, fantastic homes are under-insured. Around nine out of every 10 homes I walk into, after doing an appraisal, I find they are under-insured. The worst scenario is that the homeowner suffers a major loss and is not insured adequately – that’s a heartbreaker. The best news I can give them is that we’re here and that will no longer be the case. I feel really blessed that we can help in that way.

What does Vizion offer that other insurance brokers don’t?

We’re a brokerage with old-fashioned values of service. We try and visit every client, which is quite unusual these days. We see it as essential to understanding our clients and what we are going to insure – there’s no better way of discovering and understanding what they need than talking face to face.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Don’t eat yellow snow”... no, but seriously, a very good friend once told me to “try and build a portfolio of fun”. He meant to try to make your life as pleasurable as you can – but it’s not something you can achieve on your own, it involves family, good friends and trying to help people. There’s lots more advice I’ve been given but that’s really stuck with me.

For more information visit www.vizionbrokers.com.

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Lewes | East Sussex | Guide £3.95 million

SOLD

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KENT AND EAST SUSSEX Peter Wright has over 39 years’ experience as an estate agent, 18 years as a Director of Mayfair and central London agents, and then 19 years in Sussex and Kent ending as Humberts South East Managing Director. Before joining house. Partnership in 2019, he ran his own Property Search Agency. pwright@housepartnership.co.uk 01892 621 225 07497 568 421

Tunbridge Wells | Kent | Guide £1.35 million | EPC: C 19 192

SOLD

Tonbridge | Kent | Guide £635,000

SOLD

Sandhurst | Kent | Guide £1.85 million | EPC: E 931

SOLD

Burwash | East Sussex | Guide £1.5 million | EPC: F UNDER OFFER

Burwash Common | East Sussex | Guide £650,000 | EPC: D 194

SOLD

Hadlow Down | East Sussex | Guide £1.85 million

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Heathfield | East Sussex | Guide £3.5 million | EPC: D

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BERKS AND BUCKS Adrian Tendell is our Regional Partner for country and town houses in the counties of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Adrian lives in Windsor, with his family, and has covered the area for the past 21 years, formerly with Trevor Kent & Co of Gerrards Cross and Hamptons of Sunningdale. He would be delighted to hear from you if you would like an up to date market appraisal or general property advice. atendell@housepartnership.co.uk 01753 888 500 07535 370 146

Windsor | Berkshire | Guide £675,000 | EPC: D 21 198

Bagshot | Surrey | Guide £2.5 million | EPC: E 991

TAM E R L ANO HAND E L

M ACBETH V ER DI

THE YEO M E N OF T H E GUAR D G I LB E RT & S U L L IVAN F RO M BLUES TO RHAP S ODY

C L OR IN DA AGONIS TES

JA ZZ@ T H EG RAN GE

DANC E @ THE G RANGE

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance

JUN E & JULY 2022 www.thegrangefestival.co.uk | 01962 791020

D. Barker & Son Ltd. 40a West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk Instagram: @dbarkerandson

Bentley | Hampshire | Excess £5 million | EPC: C

SOLD

HAMPSHIRE Charles Chute lives just outside Alresford with his wife, two naughty boys and a mischievous Labrador called Pickle.

Charles joined house. Partnership in 2021 to build to the business in Hampshire, where he was brought up and returned to after living in London.

Having completed a Real Estate degree at University, his initial goal was to be a commercial surveyor, however he decided residential agency was where his real passion lay. He started his career working for Hamptons in Winchester for 2 ½ years before moving to London where he worked at Savills. Charles stayed at Savills for 14 years spending the majority of his time in the Country House Department dealing with prime country sales from Hampshire to Cornwall. The learnings in a large corporate environment have been hugely important to Charles’ development and it is through this experience that Charles values and understands how to provide a firstclass personal service. In his spare time Charles enjoys runs and walks through the Hampshire countryside with Pickle, down time with the family and painting. cchute@housepartnership.co.uk 01962 588 322 07903 263 306

SOLD

Selborne | Hampshire | Guide £820,000 23 1104

SOLD

Selborne | Hampshire | Excess £1.5 million | EPC: D

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LONG BARN Close to the historic cathedral city of Winchester, and surrounded by fragrant lavender, Long Barn: home, garden store and cafe has been a favoured destination in the pretty, bustling market town of Alresford since 2009. Well known for making our own brand of lavender goods and faithful in our respect for provenance, we source makers to offer collections for the considered home.

You will find gardening, homewares, gifts, vintage and food all now under one roof.

Open 7 days a week, plan your visit at longbarn.co.uk and share your story @longbarnuk LONG BARN, THE OLD SHEEP FAIR, BISHOPS SUTTON RD, ALRESFORD SO24 9EJ T: 01962 73 86 84 E: BARN@LONGBARN.CO.UK

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UNDER OFFER

The Sands | Surrey | Guide £3.25 million | EPC: C

1071

LETTINGS Leanna Donkin joined us in 2018 to set up our Lettings department. Prior to joining, she was at Hamptons for 19 years before leaving the corporate world for an independent with more flexibility. house. Partnership had always been an aspirational brand that she had wanted to work for and, having always dealt with the top end of the market, she was very comfortable in this market place, working with both clients and applicants alike.

With a love of all things property from interiors, furniture and architecture (she is married to an architect!), Leanna loves her job every day and gets much inspiration for her own home renovation projects.

“Setting up the Lettings business felt like running my own business, but with an already established brand, marketing and social media support plus a fantastic team of Sales Partners to bounce ideas off and their black book of contacts to draw upon. The Lettings business has gone from strength to strength over 3 years and, as we grow the team, we are looking to take it to the next level. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, taking long walks with the dog and socialising with friends.”

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ldonkin@housepartnership.co.uk 01483 266 721 07944 223 698

Midhurst | West Sussex | Guide £2,250 pcm | EPC: C 25 1108

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Lurgashall | West Sussex | Guide £15,000 pcm | EPC: C

1091

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Haslemere | Surrey | Guide £15,000 pw | EPC: B

LET

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Shamley Green | Surrey | Guide £7,500 pcm

Shamley Green | Surrey | Guide £5,500 pcm | EPC: B 1112

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Guildford | Surrey | Guide £3,500 pcm | EPC: D

Holmbury St Mary | Surrey | Guide £12,500 pcm | EPC: C

1131

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Elstead | Surrey | Guide £7,750 pcm | EPC: E

Peaslake | Surrey | Guide £17,500 pcm | EPC: D 1114

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Shamley Green | Surrey | Guide £15,000 pcm | EPC: B

Ranmore Common | Surrey | Guide £5,500 pcm | EPC: E 1151

Mission impossible

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Sharky (third from left) with his team, pilot and (above right) participants in a recent Kingsman mission – a mega party in which guests had to foil an enemy plot to steal nuclear launch codes while enjoying stunt training, obstacle courses, intelligence-gathering, water-bombing, paint-balling – and of course, a thrilling chopper ride!

How did you get to be a children’s entertainer?

George and I were at school together where we played a prank on our housemaster. It involved him ending up with a glass of water down his pants, which he wasn’t best pleased about! We were known for being a little mischievous and rather than using the normal punishment channels he came up with a punishment to fit the crime. We were told we had to entertain 30 of his daughter’s friends at her 6th birthday party that weekend. We, and the kids, had a whale of a time and that was the seed of S&G...

What, when and where was the first big party you organised and can you remember how it went? Were there any hiccups?

The first mega party we did was a mission into London for some Eton boys. We picked them up by helicopter from their school and flew them to Battersea Heliport where they met the ‘head of MI5’. Mission control was in a stretched Humvee and we had a kidnapping in South Park, a car chase to Chelsea Wharf, a boat chase down the Thames, a dying agent at St Katharine Docks and it finished with tea and medals on the top of Centre Point in Soho. It all went smoothly until a policeman showed up to our little scene on

St Katharine Docks. The actor, who was ‘dying’, with blood dripping from his mouth, stayed completely in character – which didn’t help as I tried to explain, out of earshot of the children, that our agent was probably going to make it!

What convinced you to quit your role in marketing and set up Sharky & George full-time?

George and I were both enjoying our jobs to a certain extent but S&G was growing in popularity in London. We both regularly had to break away from meetings to field calls from parents trying to book a party with us. As a financial headhunter, George would need to switch from negotiating a new high-flying job for a top banker to discussing which colour balloons would work best for a Little Mermaid theme!

We were also doing bigger and better jobs all the time and this gave us the confidence to go for it.

What’s the biggest/most lavish party you’ve organised?

Whilst the vast majority of parties are for children, we have been doing adult parties for several years now and taking our creativity and sense of adventure to this market.

Our biggest party to date was a dystopian future themed event in 2019 which took 350 people on a fully immersive experience around Shoreditch before winding up in a huge party. We completed a three-day treasure hunt around Italy on a super yacht called the Maltese Falcon, which was definitely the most lavish mission we have been on.

Next year we are taking a group of 150 people from London to Corsica. The group will take three days to get there using planes, trains, cars and boats in an amazing race-style extravaganza. They will end up on a private island for a three-day party. That WILL be the biggest party yet!

What’s the smallest do you’ve organised?

The smallest, but possibly also the most lavish as well, was a birthday party with just two children with our partners Vista Jet. We sent one of our team with the lucky kids to America – completing a spy mission, with as many games as we could, given the space, and an Alice and Wonderland tea party before touching down in JFK.

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ife really isn’t just one big party for Charlie (Sharky) Astor and George Whitefield – in fact they average around 50 per week… with a record of well over 100, marking them out as two of the biggest figures in fun in London and the Home Counties.

The pair, who started organising parties to earn a bit of extra cash while studying at Bristol University, set up Sharky & George in 2007 and are now said to be on every A-list parent’s speed-dial. From Hogwarts, Narnia and Alice in Wonderland themes to survival, circus and thrilling spy-inspired missions, creative and immersive fun is professionally conjured.

Sharky & George also run adult parties, ranging from highly competitive sports days to mind-bendingly challenging quests. They’ve won rave reviews from young and older for putting together unique and engaging experiences that are totally unforgettable.

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Your HQ is in south west London and you’ve recently opened an office in Bristol, do you have plans to expand the business further?

We are now in Parson’s Green, with our Bristol office growing fast. We don’t have any plans to expand further but we do now have a global client list, with regular work across Europe, Middle East, India and America.

If you could invite any three special/well-known guests to your own party, who would they be and why?

I would invite Bear Grylls as, like me, I don’t think he has ever really grown up and is doing exactly what he loves to do. He would provide the adventure. I would put Willy Wonka on F&B to provide a bit of magic and wonder. The third would have to be George because it wouldn’t be a party without him!

Your favourite party food is crispy duck pancakes… would Chinese be your first choice if eating out?

I love all Asian food but Thai might just edge out Chinese.

How do you relax when you’re not busy party-organising?

I am always pretty active and love skiing and kitesurfing. I also love building and fixing things, but I am banned from DIY after one too many expensive mishaps!

Where do you live and in what sort of property?

I live in Chiswick in an open-plan, lateral house.

How many employees do you have now and how many events do you hold each week?

We went down last year from 22 people to 12 people but we are now back up to 17 and counting, which is great. From small birthday parties to huge events we average about 50–55 parties a week but our record in the summer is 140 parties in one week...which was stressful!

You also run Kids’ Clubs, including a Treehouse Club at Beaverbrook. Can you tell us a bit more about these?

This is a big growth area for us, which started at Beaverbrook when it opened in 2016. One journalist was kind enough to mark it as the best Kids’ Club in the UK (10/10) which gave us the impetus to expand in the UK and overseas. We now run a regular Kids’ Club at the Dorchester and Down Hall in the UK. Internationally you will find us at The Peligoni Club and Marbella Elix in Greece, Puente Romano in Spain, Jumby Bay in Antigua, and we are in talks with the Amanyara in Turks and Caicos for 2022, so all really exciting.

Our aim with the S&G Kids’ Club is to take children out of the traditional air-conditioned school room you so often find in hotels and get them out and about exploring the beautiful area they find themselves in. This involves pirate treasure hunts, sandcastle competitions, beach games, water fights and sunset discos – affording the parents an actual holiday!

You feature some of your former top party organisers, including actor James Norton, on your website. What qualities do you look for when recruiting new team members?

We are looking for someone to be that cheeky older brother or sister figure. The ‘secret’ recipe would be a large dollop of energy and enthusiasm, a sprinkling of natural confidence and a good splash of charm! We are meticulous in our training and never rush the process. We try to be very flexible with their other careers (often acting) and have lots of evenings out for them, which has led to us having an awesome team who seem to love their jobs!

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What type of property do you generally prefer? Older property with character features or new-build with all mod cons?

I probably prefer an older property with a bit of character, but my wife definitely prefers a new build. She is currently winning... for the moment!

If you were to move home and had an unlimited budget, where in the world would you choose to live and why?

It would have to be anywhere by the sea, so I could kitesurf every morning and the kids could learn to sail and surf. It would need to be warm and probably in the Mediterranean, so I wasn’t too far away from home. Ibiza. There, I said it!

For more information about Sharky & George events, visit www.sharkyandgeorge.com.

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Sharky and George – in survival mode – with two young fans.

How long have you lived there and what do you like about the area?

I have lived here just over a year and I love it as it is a stone’s throw from the river, just next to a lovely quiet park for the kids and it is easy to get out west to go and see their grandparents.

George as the Mad Hatter, with helpers and guests at an Alice in Wonderland themed event.

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Guildford | Surrey | £12,000 pcm | EPC: C

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CONTACTS NORTH WEST LONDON

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ESHER AND COBHAM Henry Watson 01932 283 283 hwatson@housepartnership.co.uk

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LETTINGS GUILDFORD TOWN AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES Liz Berman 01483 266 720 lberman@housepartnership.co.uk

CRANLEIGH AND SURREY HILLS Nick Moulden 01483 266 700 nmoulden@housepartnership.co.uk

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Leanna Donkin 01483 266 721 ldonkin@housepartnership.co.uk

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LETTINGS MANAGEMENT Matilde Barker 07904 589 250 management@housepartnership.co.uk

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HASLEMERE AND FARNHAM David Carter 01483 266 705 dcarter@housepartnership.co.uk

CHICHESTER AND SOUTH DOWNS Felicity Chetwood 01243 717 417 fchetwood@housepartnership.co.uk

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