_What's so special about North Surrey? Stuart Cole on the best place to live in the UK
Selling property allows you to work just about anywhere! Although I now specialise in luxury property in North Surrey, I began my property career in 1988 selling small farms and cottages in Cornwall. My next port of call saw me relocate to Exeter to run a large property agency and five surrounding offices before moving with my family to Surrey in 2000.
My patch stretches from Ascot in Berkshire to Oxshott and I've been lucky enough to market some breathtaking homes - many of which sit on world famous private estates such as Wentworth, St Georges Hill and the Crown Estate - in North Surrey, helping buyers and sellers from across the world make their next property move.
So what's so special about North Surrey? I've lived and worked there for over 17 years, so I'm biased, but it's a combination of excellent infrastructure, pastoral idyll, lively villages and towns, excellent schooling and handsome housing. There's a tangible sense of community and it's such a great place to raise a growing family.
Aside from cities such as London, Manchester or Edinburgh - I'd say this is one of the most cosmopolitan places to live in the UK; and testament to that is the surrounding international schools and world famous Yehudi Menuchin music academy which have over 40 nationalities attending.
Quick access to the capital or from abroad is vital for the Surrey resident. For those commuting to London, road and rail communications are excellent and those jetting in or out have it easy with Heathrow on the doorstep.
So, back to the private estates. The size of a small town complete with restaurants, shops and a Clubhouse, they really are a source of awe and there's no shortage of clients and friends that want to know exactly what it's like to live on one.
Although I can't disclose who owns what and aside from being some of the most prestigious real estate on earth, living on an exclusive estate such as Wentworth or St Georges Hill offers high end safety and security, which is a priority for many of our clients.
These Palladian houses are colossal by any standard - some of them have over ten bedrooms as well as swimming pools, wine cellars, outdoor kitchens, gyms, cinemas, super car garages and staff quarters - but the security is futuristic and the vast space between properties allows for an element of privacy.
A typical mansion on the St George's Hill Estate.
St Georges Hill and Wentworth were conceived by WG Tarrant in 1912, when he bought the land for a golf course and then built cottages surrounding it.
The original idea of Wentworth was to build a 'quintessentially British' weekend retreat for 'stressed out city gentlemen looking to escape to the countryside and a few rounds of golf'.
They certainly aren't cottages anymore and the Wentworth golf course is now world famous, but the original idea of creating a sanctuary for residents has been preserved - it's like living in a luxury, bucolic utopia and for the 'Brand Wentworth' lifestyle, the competition is fierce.
I can't not mention Surrey without mentioning the recent opening of an outpost of fashionable restaurants The Ivy in the town of Cobham - Britain’s 'Beverly Hills' and a stone's throw from the Chelsea FC training ground.
One of the great perks of my job is that I get to travel extensively! I'm currently Knight Frank's ambassador to China, introducing prospective Chinese clients to the charms of North Surrey - the lifestyle, the properties, the schooling. Lucky for me that they're huge golf and horse racing fans!
The period on either side of Chinese New Year, which usually falls in January or February, is a busy time for us as a large number of Chinese travel to UK during the public holiday, many looking to view or secure property in London or its surrounds.
I work closely with Knight Frank's China Desk - they're the ones that kindly help me out when language barriers are an obstacle to closing a deal!
The Chinese love the history and prestige of area. Being part of a community of the wealthy from across the world has an attraction. Education is one of the biggest drivers and is very important. My patch has some world renowned schools and Eton is very close by which is a big draw.
The pastoral idyll of the Surrey hills
When not showing clients around their potential new home you'll find me on an airplane travelling to any number of global destinations.
I'm a frequent flyer to Hong Kong, the US, Monaco, France, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and Switzerland, meeting the types of buyers that want to add top end UK property to their portfolios. This is when I suggest North Surrey, naturally.
Searching for an apartment, family home or period cottage in Surrey? Contrary to popular belief we do sell all types of properties in North Surrey, not just the mega mansions!
If you're looking to move to this leafy part of the Home Counties, considering selling or would like to find out more about living in North Surrey, I'll be contributing to a number of blogs lauding my patch and offering a glimpse into what, for me, is the best job in the world - travelling the globe and matching people to their ideal home.
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