Location, location, education
For many parents, being in the catchment area of a top school is a key consideration when buying a new home. Anxious to ensure their children have access to the best education possible, parents look for a safe neighbourhood with a good school, often within walking distance of their new home, for example Echo Heights in Guildford, Surrey by Tillingbourne Homes.
Agents have reported that many of their buyers are more aware of the importance of being in the catchment area of state schools with top exam results, or within travelling distance of one of England's 164 grammar schools. A recent report conducted on behalf of Halifax shows that buyers in England pay more for a property in an area close to a top state school. The research shows that higher performing schools boost local property prices by up to 3% for every 10% improvement in GCSE pass rates.
Annabel Bishop, Director of Tillingbourne Homes comments: “For our family buyers school quality is top of their priority list. Echo Heights could not be in a better location to benefit from some of the nearby renowned state and private schools including Royal Grammar School, Guildford High School, Tormead, Lanesborough and Charterhouse.”
Tillingbourne Homes is a Surrey based property development company specialising in individual, design-led family homes that display a meticulous eye for detail and quality. The company’s current project, Echo Heights in Guildford is a fine example of their commitment to top-end design, showcasing a distinctive façade in the Arts & Crafts style and enviable interior features. The property is the third and only remaining property in an exclusive development enviably situated close to Pewley Down and Chantry Woods yet under a mile from Guildford town centre.
Boasting a unique triple gabled façade and spectacular countryside views, Echo Heights is a majestic property set on the edge of Guildford. Providing 7,600 sq ft of living space the home accommodates 6 en-suite bedrooms, spacious kitchen, lounge and dining rooms, as well as an impressive galleried library and top-floor home-cinema / games room.
Materials have been sourced from throughout Europe to achieve a superlative blend of internal features to compliment the property - these include a bespoke Portuguese ‘mafra’ limestone fireplace in the drawing room, Portuguese stone kitchen floors and Spanish ceramic bathroom tiling. Further distinguishing characteristics include bespoke brick window mullions, a spiral 1,400-bottle wine cellar within the kitchen, landscaped driveway and French doors to each of the downstairs rooms which open out onto an impressive South-facing sun terrace.
Amenities for the whole family are also in convenient range. Guildford’s scenic town centre, which is just ¾ mile away, offers its own range of bistros, bars and boutique stores.
For access into the City, Echo Heights is a short distance from Guildford station, providing a regular direct service to Waterloo in less than 40 minutes. Additionally the town provides direct links to Heathrow and Gatwick airports in around 40 minutes by car and is within easy reach of the M25 and A3.
Echo Heights is priced at £3.45million and is available through Hamptons International - email guildfordcountryhouse@hamptons-int.com for more information.
