Switching the city pad for a countryside pile June 16, 2011 COLIN Ellis, the chief economist at the BVCA, has been working in the City for over 15 years. He had always lived in London, but seven years ago, he upped sticks and moved his wife and kids to Surrey, exchanging a one-bed flat in Clapham for a three-bedroom house in Wouldingham. Now he commutes for [...]
How to scoop the perfect equestrian pad June 16, 2011 ROYAL Ascot fever is putting horse racing centre stage this week. Droves of fans have been making their way to the event, donning fascinators (the girls that is) and morning suits to witness the thrilling final furlongs. But what if you fancied your own slice of horse-paddock heaven? According to experts it’s not as hard [...]
TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT June 16, 2011 THE COTTAGE, SPELDHURST Price: £699,995 This grade II listed cottage has four bedrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, two bathrooms, a cellar, clock room and a workshop. The area is surrounded by lawned and landscaped gardens. Contact: Hamptons on 01892 516611 or go to www.hamptons.co.uk NEVILL PARK Price: £450,000 This penthouse apartment sits on [...]
BUY June 16, 2011 Managing Partner at the independent London buying agency Black Brick Property Solutions Q.I’ve heard that the market is beginning to turn in the buyer’s favour. Is this true and if so, how should I take advantage of it? A.The prime central London market is certainly not turning in the buyers’ favour at the moment. Our [...]
NEED TO KNOW | AREA INSIGHT June 16, 2011 Commuting: Tunbridge Wells is great for commuting straight into the City. The train takes just 45 minutes to get to Cannon Street, or just under an hour to Charing Cross. By car, the commute into the City takes an hour. But be warned, this does involve manoeuvring threw the M25. Education: Great schools are one [...]
Time for dads to pad up June 15, 2011 IT’S Father’s Day this Sunday, and for the modern dad there’s really only one present this year that’s essential – a tablet, paticularly for modern dads who commute. While the iPad, aided by its improved second edition, continues to storm all quarters, Android pads developed by Apple’s rivals are now seriously competing with it. The [...]
Apps for those who fancy a bit of a gamble June 15, 2011 RUMOUR has it that some City types like to gamble, so they’re probably the ideal target market for the first real-money poker app for the iPhone. Launched by online betting company Bwin, the app’s clever design creates a pocket-sized poker table that displays your hand automatically, offers you hand histories and can also help you [...]
Life as a young, professional woman hasn’t changed so much in 50 years June 15, 2011 THE BEST OF EVERYTHING BY RONA JAFFE Penguin, £8.99 by Lucie Greene This gem of a book – first published in 1958 – has witnessed a new wave of affection after being featured in top TV series Mad Men (being read by Don Draper) transforming it into an instant cult hit. Penguin saw a surge of sales after the [...]
OUT OF OFFICE June 15, 2011 FATHER AND SON GOLFING This week the first British Father and Son Gold Championship was announced, due to be held from July 31st at the prestigious De Vere Belton Woods course in Lincolnshire. The event joins the already-famous European version, held annually at El Rompido Golf Resort, Costa de la Luz in Spain. Entry is open to any [...]
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé June 14, 2011 IT’S fitting that the driver leading us around the racetrack Circuito Monteblanco in Spain, is Susie Stoddart, a Scottish racing driver competing in the German DTM touring car championship. This is because driving the new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé on track is as close as I’ll ever get to driving a touring car. Not than [...]