All About your AreA: A locAl perspective from strutt & pArker

A particular take on property ISSUE ONE

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Welcometo & Ludlow, a magazine showcasing local properties and giving you a taste of the area. Strutt & Parker is one of the most diverse property businesses in the UK, and the Ludlow office is a focal point for the wide range of departments and services we offer. The residential team specialises in selling a variety of properties across Ludlow and the surrounding towns and villages, while Strutt & Parker also provides unrivalled expertise in farming, land management, commercial property, planning and development.

Read on to find out morePage 03 Insight: Strutt & Parker discusses the local market

Page 04 First & foremost: the hottest properties and local highlights

Page 06 Portfolio: property showcase

Page 08 Trends & analysis: expert overview of the national market

Page 09 Why Strutt & Parker?

Page 10 Why we love Ludlow: locals reveal why there’s no place like home

Page 11 Find us: local centre highlights

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A particular take on property ISSUE ONE

Published on behalf of Strutt & Parker by Sunday sundaypublishing.com. All information and pricing correct at time of going to press.

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struttandparker.com/ludlow 03

s Ludlow has been acclaimed as both the best place to retire and best foodie town by national newspapers, it’s not surprising that it has

become a magnet for buyers from outside the region.‘The town enjoys a deserved reputation for food and

drink, with farmers’ markets selling local produce and a range of independent butchers, bakers and delicatessens. Restaurants, such as Michelin-starred Mr Underhill’s and La Bécasse, are renowned for their cuisine, while farming and food come together at the Ludlow Food Centre.

‘Ludlow boasts a rich history with around 500 listed buildings. Medieval Broad Street, with the Buttercross at the top and the town wall gatehouse at its foot, are fine examples of this heritage. The Grade II Listed Feathers Hotel must be one of the most photographed buildings in Shropshire, while the Ludlow Assembly Rooms, built in the 1840s, now house a vibrant arts centre. St Laurence’s Church is poet AE Housman’s final resting place and one of Ludlow’s many vantage points for views across the Shropshire Hills, while the Norman fortress of Ludlow Castle stands proudly over the town.

‘Although Ludlow sits in glorious countryside, it is accessible – the A49 links the town to Shrewsbury and Hereford, and London is a little over three hours away by train. These connections, combined with the food, culture and heritage, make our town hugely attractive.

‘At Strutt & Parker, we have seen a recent trend in buyers opting for homes with amenities close at hand rather than for a rural idyll. There has also been a move towards “bottom-heavy” homes, with buyers requiring good reception space rather than numerous bedrooms.

‘The Strutt & Parker Ludlow team all live locally and are actively involved in the community. We also sponsor initiatives such as the annual Bitterley Point-to-Point, a school Christmas card competition, public gardens and local sports clubs’ equipment and kit.

‘Our professionalism has given Strutt & Parker an excellent reputation. We are passionate about property and the homes we are invited to sell. For us, the year started with an excellent level of sales. We aim to continue in this vein, offering an outstanding service for quality house sales, lettings and land management services.’

A‘

Mark Wiggin, Partner, explains how our Ludlow office brings a wealth of experience to the town’s robust property market

Published on behalf of Strutt & Parker by Sunday sundaypublishing.com. All information and pricing correct at time of going to press.

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First & foremost

04 &Ludlow

MODERN HISTORYALL YEAR ROUNDThe magnifi cent medieval ruins of Ludlow Castle lie in the heart of the town. Owned by the Earl of Powis and open to the public all year round, it hosts festivals, markets, fairs and concerts. From its Norman gatehouse keep to its stunning circular chapel, which is associated with the Knights Templar, it is a fantastic place to explore. A medieval Christmas fair takes place every year, and regular activities include living history demonstrations such as archery, tours, jesters and historical re-enactments. Those with weary feet can make their way to the tea room. ludlowcastle.com

Ludlow has around500 Listed buildings

The town’s castle was the seat of the Council of Wales and the Marches from 1472 to 1689, effectively making Ludlow the capital of Wales during that time

Street markets have been held in Ludlow since the 12th century and continue to this day

LUDLOWUNCOVERED

Reader’s House, LudlowReader’s House, one of the fi nest properties of its type in the country, dates to the early 17th century and has been restored and modernised to accentuate the wonderful features while providing accommodation for contemporary living. Winning the inaugural ‘Heritage Award of the Year’, work included refurbishment of much of the building.The carvings on the three-storey timber-framed porch have been described as ‘a masterpiece of Ludlow carving’. £599,000 FOR SALE Contact 01584 873711

PERIOD PIECE

DINING OUT ON SUCCESSWhen Harden’s restaurant guide introduced a new award for longstanding establishments a few years ago, Mr Underhill’s (named after the owners’ cat) was chosen as the best all-round restaurant outside London, beating Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons. And it’s not hard to see why: every diner (and it’s only open for dinner) gets the same nine-course ‘market menu’ fi lled with locally sourced food such as wild venison from nearby Mortimer Forest, and ‘bits and pieces’ donated by staff and friends who drop by with home-grown or foraged goods. As a result, the menu changes daily. The restaurant is situated on the banks of the River Teme, with the dining room overlooking an exquisite courtyard garden fi lled with plants chosen for their colour and perfume. Book ahead.mr-underhills.co.uk

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LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

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DESIGN DETAIL

A WARM WELCOMEThe vogue for elegant, Nordic-style wood-burning stoves shows no sign of abating, so hotfoot it down to Ludlow’s own Clearview Stoves, one of the country’s leading manufacturers of wood- and coal-burning stoves. Its showroom, Dinham House, is nestled under the protection of the castle wall and is the largest Georgian house in Ludlow. Wander through the house’s many rooms and inspect the different styles of stove, each emitting a warm glow, along with accessories including fi reguards and log baskets. The showroom also sells lighting, candles, throws, cushions and other homewares.clearviewstoves.com

FESTIVAL FUNTaking place every September, the Ludlow Food Festival cements the town’s reputation as a foodie paradise. More than 160 independent food and drink producers from around the Marches pack cheek by jowl under canvas in the stunning surrounds of Ludlow Castle and the town’s Castle Square. The best advice is to turn up hungry so you can sample the delights. As well as tastings, visitors can watch cider-pressing and knife-cutting demonstrations, while around town, you can follow sausage, real ale and bread trails, take a brewery tour, go chocolate tasting and listen to inspiring talks.foodfestival.co.ukW

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Winthills House, Knowbury, ShropshireWinthills House is a testament to the vision of the current owners who have created a superb home with versatile living space. The house blends characterful features with contemporary fi ttings, and features a bespoke kitchen and stylish bath and shower rooms. Modern infl uences include a ground source heat pump, zoned under-fl oor heating and triple glazing – with quality at the heart of every detail. £695,000 FOR SALE

Contact 01584 873711

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06 &Ludlow

Whitton Court, WhittonWith a history dating back to the 14th century, Whitton Court is a magnificent Grade I Listed manor house with a residential portfolio of 16 cottages. £2,950,000 FOR SALE

The Moors, BrimfieldWith good outbuildings and an excellent detached annexe, this beautiful half-timbered property enjoys a popular village location. £625,000 FOR SALE

Norbury Hall, NorburyA striking period farmhouse with outbuildings, land and magnificent views. £699,000 FOR SALE

Holland House, Clunbury

A striking part-timbered Grade II Listed house of exceptional quality

in a pretty south Shropshire village. £349,950 FOR SALE

Greenacres,Tenbury WellsA superb semi-rural property with excellent outbuildings and land. £650,000 FOR SALE

For further details of any of these properties, contact 01584 873 711

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PORTFOLIO

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Old Bull House, Bishops Castle

Individual and charming, Old Bull House is thought to

date from the 17th century and enjoys a popular south Shropshire village location.

£395,000 FOR SALE

Hopswood, OrletonAn exceptional barn

conversion with an annexe, beautiful

gardens and paddock by separate negotiation.

Close to the pretty village of Orleton.

£599,950 FOR SALE

Myttons Cottage, Tenbury WellsA Grade II Listed country property set in delightful gardens and enjoying far-reaching views. £399,950 FOR SALE

Garden House, LudlowAn elegant Georgian house with a superb garden and parking within Ludlow’s historic town walls. £1,200,000

Mill Street, LudlowA spectacular example of Georgian elegance,

this 18th-century property was home to Sir Caesar Hawkins, Royal Surgeon

to George III.£865,000 FOR SALE

FOR SALE

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he country house market has weathered the worst of the recession and

although last year’s 2% rise in stamp duty did have an impact, James Mackenzie, Head of the Country Department at Strutt & Parker believes that this was a just a blip. ‘People take these things on the chin and move on, particularly when you’re talking about buying a family home.’

And while the hard winter of 2012/13 did little to encourage buyers out into the country, Mackenzie believes the market is making up for lost time. ‘It’s heading back to where it should be, with the potential to get stronger over the next 12 months.’

Little regional variation exists – it’s all about properties and prices – but the robust London market remains a key driving factor, with buyers recognising the potential that city budgets have beyond the capital. Equally, international and expat interest remains steady and it’s here that Strutt & Parker’s relationship with Christie’s International Real Estate comes into its own.

‘Many more international buyers are being pushed in our direction,’ explains Mackenzie. ‘Our auction house colleagues are also helping introduce potential sellers to Strutt & Parker. It’s simply a much bigger playing field for us now.’

Regional growth

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up to 32%of London buyers are

planning to move to

the country

ost considerations, lifestyle choices, local economic factors and government

efforts to kick-start the housing market are creating a complex UK residential property picture, according to Michael Fiddes, Head of Agency at Strutt & Parker.

‘There’s definitely been a stimulus at the bottom of the market because of what the government’s sought to do for first-time buyers,’ says Fiddes. ‘Secondly, while more people are selling up in London and benefiting from fantastic value outside of the capital because of the large price differential, buyers are becoming much more conscious of the costs such as commuting, property maintenance and heating, and education.’

Lifestyle choices, too, are resulting in more people living in an urban or suburban environment beyond London. That’s been good for Oxford, Cambridge, St Albans and

Guildford in particular. ‘These key regional centres are seeing more growth in residential value than their rural counterparts, although there are hotspots around the UK where different economic factors affect the marketplace,’ says Fiddes. ‘An example is around Aberdeen, where the oil industry creates a massive number of jobs.’

A complex market then, but one in which Strutt & Parker remains best placed to negotiate, with the interests of clients always paramount.

‘When people are moving house, they’re usually dealing with their most valuable asset, something that’s going to have one of the greatest effects on their lives,’ says Fiddes. ‘Selling a house is about getting the best possible deal for the client, but also about helping them on a journey. We always endeavour to look after them and proactively make things happen, rather than merely hoping they’ll happen.’ wo

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Getting stronger

Trends & analysisStrutt & Parker experts reflect on the

nationwide property picture

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OVERVIEW

T he new research team at the company’s London head offi ce is making its

presence felt with vital insights into short- and long-term market trends. While many industry researchers have a narrow focus, this department takes a ‘holistic’ approach, keeping abreast of developments across the full range of Strutt & Parker’s interests.

‘Our work is about understanding the markets, knowing what the trends are, and identifying where the demand and stock is coming from,’ says Stephanie McMahon, Head of Research at Strutt & Parker.

But examining statistics is just part of the process. ‘We’re interested in the behaviour of buyers and vendors,’ explains McMahon. ‘It’s important to understand what’s driving their decision-making.’

Downsizing, or ‘right-sizing’ as McMahon calls it, is one of the trends currently being tracked by the team. ‘Outside London, 25% of our vendors are looking to move to smaller properties,’ she says. ‘And out in the country, over 80% of people are using their homes for primary use. Even in London, that fi gure is almost at 55%.’

McMahon is seeing evidence, fi nally, of movement in the mortgage market: ‘It’s becoming a little bit more accessible for some buyers, so that’s a positive sign.’ W

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Syn

ergy

OUR BRAND

For more than 125 years, Strutt &

Parker has created a brand that

signifi es outstanding results

delivered through high-quality

and integrity-rich service.

OUR MARKETING EXCELLENCE

We are committed to constantly

evolving our marketing approach

to ensure that your property is

seen ahead of the rest. Our

dedicated in-house marketing

and PR team ensures that our

brand and your property is

consistently and strongly

represented in every media outlet.

OUR ONLINE PRESENCE

Strutt & Parker has built an

industry-leading website

for buyers of quality real estate,

with more than 200,000 visitors

to struttandparker.com

every month. We also have a

mobile-friendly website and use

QR codes and NFC technology to

give access to properties on the

go and from any mobile device.

OUR NATIONAL NETWORK

Strutt & Parker’s extensive and

growing network of 50 offi ces

covers the whole of the UK, from

Exeter to Inverness. Our 400+

sales professionals work as a

team to help achieve great

property results for you.

OUR BUYERS DATABASE

With 2,000 buyers registering

with us every month, we have

more than 26,000 active buyers –

all of whom are shared across

our network of UK offi ces,

showcasing your home to more

prospective buyers nationally.

OUR GLOBAL REACH

As the sole UK affi liate of

Christie’s International Real

Estate, we have access to 920

affi liate offi ces in 41 countries

worldwide, bringing global

buyers to your door.

OUR EXPERTS

We offer a total solution approach.

Our specialist teams include

Residential Sales, Lettings,

Building Surveying &

Architecture, Farms & Estates,

Land Management, Farming,

Commercial, Planning,

Development, Resources &

Energy and Professional Services.

A holistic view

WHY STRUTT

& PARKER?

Fiona Stewart, Head of Marketing & Communications at Strutt & Parker, explains why Open House Days are a must

BRINGING BUYERS AND SELLERS TOGETHER

Q What is Open House Day?A It’s a day when we throw open the doors of all the houses we’re selling, so that prospective buyers have the chance to view as many properties as they wish, without the need to make appointments. We run Open House Days twice a year, in the spring and autumn.

Q How does it help buyers and sellers? A Buyers like it because it gives them the freedom to see lots of properties on one day. They can plan their own route and it’s really time effi cient. They also like the opportunity to meet vendors. From a seller’s perspective, you’ve got a lot of prospective buyers coming through the door to see your

house on a single day. We know that 90 per cent of searches start online, but nothing replaces the value of seeing a property for real.

Q How effective is Open House Day?A We had 700 properties take part in our last event, with one in ten receiving offers on the day, to a value of more than £85 million. The results speak for themselves.

Q What do you have to do to get involved?A You can register to take part online at struttandparker.com/openday or with your local Strutt & Parker offi ce. Once you’ve provided your details, you’ll receive a registration card. You can then view as many houses on the day as you wish.

BRINGING BUYERS AND SELLERS TOGETHER

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‘We moved here in 2005 after a long search for the right place to open our own wine shop. We came from central London and swapped a small flat for a house and two acres. Ludlow has a thriving social scene, and where else will you find a small town that has artisan butchers, bakers, a fishmonger – and a top wine merchant?’ Will Bentley, owner, Bentley’s Wine Merchants

‘We came to Ludlow for a weekend 12 years ago. We weren’t really looking for a house as we were happy in London. Yet without really discussing it, we bought our house in the centre of town the same weekend. It was love at first sight. The house, town, shops, people and countryside were everything we wanted.’ Ellen Andronov, local resident

‘I’ve come to love the town with its friendly people and gastronomic delights since arriving here as branch manager 22 years ago. The castle and riverside areas are perfect for a stroll on a sunny afternoon.’Tony Price, manager, NatWest bank

‘It’s not only a lovely historic town, but is also a vibrant place full of unique shops and enterprise. Ludlow enjoys many fantastic festivals and events throughout the year.’ Peter Stephens, solicitor, mfg Solicitors

‘Ludlow is such a pleasant place to live with its stunning architecture, market, wealth of independent shops and beautiful countryside. Just sitting in the peace and tranquillity of my wonderful garden and looking across to Whitcliffe gives me the greatest pleasure.’Janet Tuffley, owner, The Silver Pear

Why we love LudlowWhat makes the town such a special place to work and live? We ask a few local residents

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FIND US

Strutt & Parker Ludlow26 Bull RingLudlow SY8 1AATel: 01584 873711ludlow@struttandparker.com

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S&P

Strutt & Parker Ludlow is part of a national network with 50 offices around the UK, including 10 offices in central London. As sole UK affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, we also work with a network of 920 affiliate offices in 41 countries around the globe.

To complement our Residential Sales team, we offer clients a complete service with experts across a wide range of disciplines, including:

Farming – our specialist agricultural advisers work with farmers and landowners to help manage their land and increase profitability.

Land Management – we offer advice to estate and land owners managing thousands of acres with diverse business interests.

Valuation & Enfranchisement Services – from property valuations to client support on planning processes, we offer many specialist property services.

Resources & Energy – we help clients seize the opportunities and manage the risks that energy issues present.

Commercial Property – our highly successful commercial team provides forward-thinking advice across all commercial property sectors.

Planning & Development – we advise on planning strategy and submit applications for clients, as well as advising on development value and selling land with consent.

struttandparker.com/ludlow 11

Strutt & Parker network and services

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struttandparker.com

To visit the Ludlow office homepage, simply

hover your phone over the QR code (right).

Ludlow26 Bull RingLudlow SY8 1AATel: 01584 873711

ShrewsburyTheatre Royal14 ShoplatchShropshire SY1 1HRTel: 01743 284200

LondonTen offices in central LondonVisit struttandparker.com for details

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