Merchant Taylors Place by Barratt Homes

Description

This beautiful pocket of 17 acres of land is one of Hertfordshire’s best kept secrets, yet it has been home to many illustrious names over the centuries. King Offa, King of Mercia, held this site as part of his kingdom during his reign from 757. However, in 790 he gave some of his lands to St Albans Abbey as an act of remorse for killing his daughter’s bridegroom, his rival King Ethelbert, on their wedding day. When Henry VIII dissolved the church in 1539 the land passed into royal hands once more. Eventually Elizabeth I sold the Durrants manor to Dr John Caius, a physician to the Royal Household.

In 1936 Old Merchant Taylors, a local independent boys school, purchased the manor land, including Durrants House, to replace their war memorial sports grounds in Teddington. The land was then laid out with cricket and rugby pitches and the historic Durrants House became the Club house and an exclusive Hertfordshire wedding venue.

Specification

The Detail

From the moment you arrive at Merchant Taylors Place it will be clear this is an exceptional location. Pass through the entrance onto the private approach road and you will be amazed by the charm of this place. Beyond a small copse of trees is the magnificent backdrop of the historic manor home - Durrants House.

A site as beautiful as this demands the upmost respect to detail and both the restoration and conversion of the house as well as the new homes to be built in the acres of grounds will reflect this. Within Durrants House many of the original features such as the oak panelled reception hail and the wood carved staircase will be retained as focal features.

There are plans to convert the manor house into luxury apartments with some enjoying views across the lawned front gardens. Within the grounds a range of 3, 4, 5 and 6 bedroom exclusive family homes will be built, sitting within small cul-de-sacs and tree lined crescents. On the edge of the site three tennis courts and two all-weather junior football pitches will be provided for the enjoyment of the new residents and local people.

Leisure facilities

The Local Area

This is one of the most sought after areas in this county and it is easy to see why. Ideally located for enjoying the countryside, with fast road and rail connections to the Capital, plus all the convenience of a town with a village sense of community. No wonder that this location has become so popular to live in. Yet it has managed to retain much of its charm, with Croxley Green having a central village green where the annual Maypole dancing takes place and a wooded conservation area to be explored. Add to this a sprinkling of pubs, local stores and community sports clubs and you have all the ingredients for a perfect lifestyle. Family life is well supported locally.

The Lifestyle

For those who want an urban lifestyle with a country feel this location has it all. Not only can residents enjoy the views of Durrants House with its beautiful gardens, but there are acres of natural parkland to be explored within just a couple of miles. At the heart of Rickmansworth is the Aquadrome, an award winning open nature reserve. Here you can indulge in endless pleasures from a variety of water sports on the two large central lakes, walks through woodland nature trails and even enjoy a home baked organic meal at the popular Cafe in the Park.

The Grand Union Canal passes through the east of the town, with its miles of tow paths ideal for cyclists and walkers to explore. Stop at Batchworth Lock on a summer’s day and you can while away the hours watching the plethora of brightly coloured barges pass through or even enjoy a leisurely sail along the canal. If you feel like stepping back into the fast lane the West End is only 40 minutes away on the Metropolitan Line, with its theatre, clubs, designer shopping and fine restaurants. Whilst just 24 miles away is one of Europe’s largest shopping centres. The Westfield Centre boasts 265 shops from over 15 countries, with unique access to luxury and premium brands.

Schools and education

Within easy reach of Merchant Taylors Place are some of the UK’s best performing state and independent schools including: Little Green Junior School graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Watford Boys and Watford Girls Grammar Schools - both graded ‘Outstanding’ and listed in the FT as among the top state schools in the country; and finally Old Merchant Taylors’ boys school in neighbouring Northwood – ranked amongst the top 20 schools in the UK for exam results in 2010.

Nearest schools:

• Little Green Junior School - Primary (0.1 miles) 
• Malvern Way Infant & Nursery School - Primary (0.4 miles) 
• Yorke Mead Primary School (0.5 miles) 

Transport links

Transport

Croxley Green is on the Metropolitan Underground line and offers direct access into Central London in just 40 minutes. For a faster journey, over ground rail travel from neighbouring Rickmansworth to London Marylebone Station takes just 26 minutes and for those who prefer to drive the M1/A41 offer a fast route into central London in around 23 miles. London’s orbital road, the M25, is just 2 miles away allowing for easy road links to major motorway routes going to the West Country or the Midlands. And when you want to travel overseas you have fast access to one of the world’s largest international airports - London Heathrow which is only 17 miles away. Just four junctions around the M25 this award winning airport boasts 5 terminals and an outstanding choice of flights to almost every worldwide destination.

Driving directions

How to Find Us

From Junction 18 of the M25:
Take signs to Rickmansworth on the A404 and follow the road for two miles until you reach Rickmansworth Underground station. At the roundabout take the second exit to Watford. At the next mini roundabout take the left-hand exit towards Watford. At the next mini-roundabout take the first exit onto Croxley Green. After the Coach and Horses Public House on the left take a right-hand fork towards the T-junction with Baldwins Lane. Turn right and then left onto Manor way at the next mini-roundabout. Take the first right into Kenilworth Drive followed by the first left into Rochester Way. At the end of Rochester Way the road turns a sharp right into Lincoln Way and the entrance to Merchant Taylors Place is straight in front.

From Watford
Take signs out of Watford towards Rickmansworth on the A412, going over the canal and at the next roundabout take the second exit signposted to Sarratt. Follow the road towards the next mini-roundabout passing under the Railway Bridge, a parade of shops on the left and up the hill. At the mini-roundabout turn right into Durrants Drive and take the first left into Kenilworth Drive followed by the first right into Rochester Way. At the end of Rochester Way the road turns a sharp right into Lincoln Way and the entrance to Merchant Taylors Place is straight in front. Please beware of traffic from the left before turning into the entrance for Merchant Taylors Place.

Opening hours

Tuesday - Sunday 10am till 5:30pm and Monday 2pm till 5:30pm

Call directly

Tel: 01923 369820

About Barratt Homes

Barratt Homes

Founded in 1958, Barratt is Britain's best-known housebuilder. We have sold over 300,000 new homes around the country and are leaders in design, urban regeneration, social housing and innovation.

We currently sell over 15,500 new homes a year and are building on developments from Aberdeen to Plymouth, helping to meet housing demand in towns, cities and rural areas. We build for all kinds of buyers, from first-time buyer apartments to family townhouses to luxury penthouses, plus homes for rent and shared ownership.

A commitment to innovation and continuous product development, coupled with the highest standards of design, construction, quality and customer service has earned Barratt every major industry award in recent years and we are currently ‘Housebuilder of the Year’ in both the prestigious What House? and Your New Home awards. Our site managers are also regular winners in the NHBC ‘Pride In The Job’ awards for quality workmanship.

NewBuy

NewBuy is a government-backed initiative which aims to help home-buyers secure up to a 95% Loan to Value mortgage on new build properties from participating builders in England.

The scheme is operated by the home building industry and mortgage lenders and is designed to protect the lenders against losses in the unfortunate event of repossession.

To be eligible for NewBuy, home-buyers must be UK citizens and those with a right to remain indefinitely in the country.

Properties that qualify for NewBuy are:

• New build
• Priced up to £500,000
• Primary homes
• Full ownership