12 Days of Christmas - Day 7

A remarkable opportunity to own a lakeside home with it's own private island, in a quiet exclusive cul-de-sac backing the Old Mile, close to Ascot Village Centre.

The property sits high and looks down onto a beautiful lake with wildlife wandering freely to the rear.

The current owners have significantly improved this property to give it a modern feel with the accommodation re-designed so it flows in a pleasant relaxing style.

There is a lovely breakfast area and a second sitting room which overlooks the grounds and a private study to the front of the house. The first floor has five bedrooms including the excellent master suite with balcony overlooking the lake. Three bedrooms have en-suites and there is one family bathroom.

There is also an integral double garage and plenty of parking to the front of the house on the sweeping driveway approached via electric wooden gates.

The garden to the rear is mainly laid to lawn and meanders down to the water and there is an enclosed heated swimming pool with surrounding patio to one side of the house.

Priced at £2,450,000, for more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 Virginia Water properties.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Octagon Developments. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt. Tel: 01344 843000

House prices 2% up over a year

House prices were 2% higher than a year ago in July as the strength of the London property market outweighed declines elsewhere in the UK. The annual growth rate revealed today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) was slower than the 2.3% recorded in both May and June, with the average price across the UK standing at £234,000.

England recorded a 2.4% annual increase, taking typical prices to £242,000, while Scotland saw a 1.1% drop, pushing average prices to £183,000, and prices in Wales fell by 0.2% to reach £159,000.
Northern Ireland recorded a 10.9% year-on-year drop in house prices to stand at £130,000, continuing a trend of sharp decreases which analysts have put down to prices re-adjusting after they soared before the financial crisis struck.
Most of the house price growth was concentrated in the South East of England. The ONS said that if London and the South East were stripped out of the figures, UK prices would have only risen by 0.6% in the 12 months to July.

Prices rose by 5.7% in London year-on-year to reach £397,000 on average, while the North East, which saw a 0.5% annual decline, had the lowest average house price of the English regions at £145,000.
Analysts have predicted that a widening gap between the stronger growth in sellers putting their homes on the market than the numbers of potential buyers will push prices downwards for the rest of the year against the background of a weak economy and the ongoing eurozone crisis.

The Bank of England and the Treasury recently launched a “funding for lending” scheme to unclog the flow of credit, but much of the competition among mortgage lenders has been concentrated around borrowers with larger deposits.

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist for IHS Global Insight, said: “We retain the view that house prices will trend gradually lower over the latter months of 2012 and very possibly beyond in the face of limited activity, low and fragile consumer confidence, and muted earnings growth.”
The average price paid by a first-time buyer rose by 1.8% year-on-year to £174,000, the ONS figures showed. Existing owners paid £269,000 on average, representing a slightly higher year-on-year increase of 2%.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Sunningdale. Tel: 01344 843000

Choosing the right rental agency in Surrey

The real estate dealings are complicated enough; let alone without a trusted expert on your side. Especially the property rentals transactions in the United Kingdom come with a whole host of legal responsibilities and regulations on both parties (tenants and landlords). If you are a corporate client requiring a home for your employees, a family looking to rent a new home, or a property investor looking for a buy-to-let property in Surrey, you need a reputable letting agency that can help you.

You should expect the letting agency to be able to cover the full range of Surrey rental services, including short lets, property management and tenancy management regardless of whether the property is furnished, part-furnished or fully furnished.

The letting agency must have a team of people that can provide a complete landlord tenant management service; from rent processing to full management.

As a tenant, whether you are looking for a studio apartment, flat, luxury apartment, new home or house to rent in Surrey for a few months or a few years, you expect some trusted lettings experts guide you through the properties that are on the Surrey market. If you are new to rentals, you also rightfully expect to be taken through the formalities of renting a home.

If you are new to Surrey and need advice about its towns and parishes, such as Virginia Water and Englefield Green, and what they offer, the letting agency should be able to help you decide where would suit your needs and which types of property are available to rent in a given location.

Most importantly, the lettings agents you deal with must understand your needs and tailor their service according to your requirements. They should provide a professional and friendly service to ensure a trouble-free tenancy for you both

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Surreygate – Lives of the rich and famous behind bars

Whether designed to keep undesirables out or the occupants in, the trend for gated developments first seen in the US, remains as prevalent today as ever in the affluent Home County of Surrey.

On the exclusive Wentworth Estate in particular where resident footballers, celebrities, Hollywood A-listers and politicians value their privacy over all else, it is extremely common to have properties and their occupants hidden from view by oversized firs, perimeter fencing and 10 foot high gates.

Be they ornate wrought iron works of art, simple yet sturdy electronically operated wooden gates or high tech, bullet proof technological masterpieces with full CCTV and alarm systems which view the humble Postie with dubious suspicion, the Surrey set take their life behind bars very seriously.

James Wyatt, Partner of 7 times winning Best Estate Agents Surrey, Barton Wyatt and Wentworth resident himself, comments:

“Gated properties have been popular in and around Virginia Water and the Wentworth Estate for some time but “Surreygate” seems to have hit in recent times with the need for ever more lavish entrance gates. Keeping up with the local property fashion is hard work for home owners – wrought iron or wooden, flamboyant or plain, full obscurity or not. Then there are decisions on the intercom, video and remote systems. The biggest question I wonder is ‘Are they blocking people out or trapping people in?

“The Wentworth Estate’s rumoured latest celebrity residents Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for example, in what one can only assume was an attempt to retain some privacy from the insatiable paparazzi, ‘filled’ their gate in with coloured plastic recently.

“That said, sometimes it’s not all about hiding away; on a personal level, we have installed a simple gate to our home mainly for safety reasons to ensure that the children don’t run onto the road after a rogue football when playing outside which offers invaluable peace of mind.

“Currently winning the popularity stakes are solid wooden gates – so nosey parkers can’t see in at all yet many smaller houses that don’t have room for traditionally opening gates use roller gates which slide sideways and I’ve even seen a house in Sunninghill with anti-terrorist bollards which rise out of the ground as a second line of defence.”

For more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie rumoured to be renting £20m mansion on the Wentworth Estate

Where else would Hollywood royalty choose to live than the 'Beverly Hills' of England, the exclusive Wentworth Estate in Surrey.

With rumours rife that the A-list couple have rented a palatial pad backing onto the famous Wentworth golf course, home to the BMW PGA Championship later this month, we asked James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt, the longest standing estate agent in the area and Wentworth resident himself, just why this is the perfect UK base for the couple and their family:

"The very fact that I was unaware of the rumours that Brad Pitt had rented a property on the Estate despite being a resident myself is exactly the appeal of Wentworth - privacy.

Designed by Tarrant in the 1920's, Wentworth is home to numerous celebrities, successful business tycoons and even royalty who all value their privacy. The 700 hectare estate enjoys 24 hour security with private roads and many of the homes have considered landscaping to ensure maximum privacy as well as some of the most advanced security systems. The range of onsite leisure facilities, 'village' feel and attractive parade of local shops on hand also makes the Wentworth Estate and practical as well as desirable place to live.

Being only 20 miles from London with direct train line access, only a few miles from Heathrow international airport and with the highly regarded TASIS American School just minutes away in Egham, I can fully understand how the Pitt-Jolie family would find living on Wentworth very convenient."

For details of other property for sale in Virginia Water, please contact Barton Wyatt.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property for sale in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Welcome to Wentworthski: Multimillion pound family home on exclusive Surrey estate sparks Russian bidding war

One of the most desirable homes on the exclusive Wentworth Estate in the heart of Surrey sparked a Russian bidding war this weekend reports the appointed agent, Barton Wyatt.

September House, the luxurious detached property from established developers, Millgate Homes, enjoyed a flurry of interest from a number of international buyers in recent weeks but it was two Russian families who eventually went head to head to secure the sale.

After fierce negotiating the lucky winner transferred the deposit for this £6,250,000 family home in record time and is set to move in within the month.

Commenting on the successful sale, James Wyatt, Partner of the award winning agency, Barton Wyatt, says:
“It is sales such as September House that make estate agency really exciting. In my 25 years in this industry, I have never seen such strong competition for a property. Both parties fell in love with the 10,000 sq ft new house but in the end, as it often does, money talks and the lucky buyer secured the deposit first.

“The indoor swimming pool was a big hit in this house, not to mention that the property had been dressed by well known interior designers, Alexander James Interiors who worked with Millgate Homes to create a perfect blend of luxury and sophistication.”

September House’s new owners will not be the only Russian residents in the area. This corner of leafy Surrey has become a hotspot for Russian families attracted to the open green spaces, easy commute to London, large detached new homes complete with high tech security features.

James Wyatt continues, ‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say that this area has turned into ‘Wentworthski’ but I can certainly see why international buyers, including Russians, are buying in and around Wentworth in ever increasing numbers. Be it their primary family home or a country retreat, the estate offers some truly special homes.”

For more information on the Russian demand for property in Surrey contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 834000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Closure of Stamp Duty loophole will not deter my foreign buyers says James Wyatt

21st March, 2012

"Chancellor George Osborne might have kept his promise of coming "down like a tonne of bricks" on those who have avoided paying stamp duty by closing the tax loophole in today's Budget but this won't deter foreign nationals from buying property in UK.

The UK is an extremely attractive place to buy property given the Pound's weakness in recent years. In fact the UK is an all round favourite choice due to our dominant financial centre, superb sporting and cultural activities, some of the World's best restaurants and top drawer educational choices.

Since the start of 2012, 35% of our business has been selling houses to overseas buyers and of those, 65% were from Eastern Europe (Russian, Ukraine & Kazakhstan).

Barton Wyatt have sold properties on the exclusive Wentworth Estate and St Georges Hill, Weybridge, both of which are attractive to wealthy buyers. Foreigners pay an average of £8m for a house and have taken advantage of the loophole using an offshore company in the past however at this price point, I doubt the revised 7% stamp duty applicable on standard purchase vehicles moving forward would put off a serious buyer.

In terms of property types, new homes is the preferred purchase by foreign buyers. Recently one luxury developer Millgate Homes sold 'September House' on Wentworth for £6.25m after a bidding war broke out between two Russian families.

The problem we face in the Home Counties is not the closure of the stamp duty loophole but a dwindling stock of new properties of a high enough calibre which will inevitably lead to price rises."
For more information or immediate bespoke comment from James please contact Barton Wyatt on 00 44 1344 843 000.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

US tenants drive lettings market in Surrey

According to data from Surrey's Best Estate Agent, Barton Wyatt, US nationals are driving the North Surrey lettings market, accounting for 45% of all tenants in rented properties in 2011. Established in Virginia Water for nearly 50 years, the award winning agency Barton Wyatt which specialises in high end lettings as well as property sales, also revealed that despite the majority of rental stock in 2011 being privately let, almost 20% was let to companies and their employees. Commenting on the findings, Partner James Wyatt, who celebrates his silver anniversary at Barton Wyatt this year, said: "In line with the recent findings from PrimeLocation.com which revealed that the location from which the highest volume of searches for British property to buy was the US at 21%, we too have seen a resurgence in US nationals renting in the North Surrey area, accounting for nearly half of all lets in 2011."   Wyatt continues, "During the recession we saw a decrease in the volume of corporate lets particularly with many international companies downsizing operations or relocating, many back to the US. In 2011 however we saw this trend reverse with US professionals and their families once again returning to the area for employment which in turn has boosted the corporate lettings market." Of Barton Wyatt's corporate tenants, the most popular sectors of employment in 2011 were energy at 19%, finance at 15% and telecoms and pharmaceuticals each accounting for 10%. As Lettings Manger, Joanne Parris explains, "Some of our biggest corporate letting clients include oil and gas giants BP and Shell as well as the 10th largest pharmaceutical company in the world, Eli Lilly and American corporation, Dow Chemicals." Indeed this leafy corner of Surrey, in and around Virginia Water, only 42 minutes by direct train to Central London, seems to be the preferred destination not only for major US conglomerates to house their UK operations but also for employees to reside. A number of American expat groups and communities exist in Surrey such as the American Women of Berkshire & Surrey and the presence of not only TASIS in Thorpe but the ACS International Schools in Egham and Cobham is highly appealing to families. These flavours of home combined with the large, often American style open-plan properties on offer in the area make it an obvious choice. As James Wyatt points out, "Over the years we have seen a greater demand from our US tenants for larger detached homes with properties in the area now averaging a substantial 5 - 6000 sq.ft. 4 and 5 bedroom properties are frequently the most popular with smaller 1 and 2 bedroom apartments barely rented by this market." One such home, available to rent today is Sylvanus House located in Sunningdale. This great family house just minutes from the shops and mainline train station comprises master suite with full dressing area, guest suite with bathroom and dressing area, 3 further bedrooms, family bathroom, living room, dining room, study, open-plan kitchen / breakfast room leading to a family room as well as a double integral garden and gardens to the front and rear. Available for £4,750 per calendar month, this type of property is ideal for corporate tenants and won't stay on the market for long.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Property Near ACS International School

Relocation is always a possibility for various professionals in the course of their careers. When families have to relocate, housing often plays a big role in determining where to stay. Schooling considerations may also come into play. Although transformations in learning have made it possible to train for many careers online, the hands-on nature of certain courses still necessitates physical attendance of classes. Check out the resources here for more on distance education.

When relocating to foreign countries, it is common for individuals to seek schools that have an international aspect. This is because international schools allow students to adjust more successfully to the new school environment. ACS International School, located at Egham in Surrey, England is one of the finest examples of an international school. It offers a unique curriculum that meets the needs of both international and local students. The school has an extremely diverse selection of students, representing all continents, which truly reflects a global outlook in the educational arena.

The property market for many of the towns near the school is well developed. With various housing styles and neighborhoods to choose from, you’re bound to find a house within your range. The school is served by an excellent transportation system that consists of a highly advanced road and rail network. This allows easy access to London and other metropolitan areas. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are conveniently located not far from the school, which makes international travel easier to manage.

The high demand for properties in Surrey has contributed to a high market value for housing. Properties on the market include rentals and properties for sale. Several factors have contributed to making Surrey one of the most desirable places to live in. These include excellent transport network, wide availability of various levels of schooling, including preschool, primary and high schools, good range of housing, vast areas of woodland, low crime rate, and quality shopping opportunities. Housing designs in Surrey include Georgian style houses, romanticized styles, Surrey-style varieties, suburban-style houses and Victorian housing. The good range of housing styles also helps to sustain high interest in the property market near ACS International School.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Sunningdale. Tel: 01344 843000

Homebuyer demand at five year high

The number of homebuyers registering with estate agents leapt 18 per cent, the strongest demand seen since a 23 per cent rise in February 2007, according to Hometrack. But figures were lifted by a surge in first time buyers rushing to beat the stamp duty holiday which ends on March 24, the national housing survey indicates.



On a regional level, buyer interest was up 28 per cent in the South East and 22 per cent in the South West.
With many buyers doubling as sellers, the stock of housing coming to the market grew 10 per cent over the month.

However, as investors and first time buyers have no properties to sell, the growth in demand outpaced the increase in supply across nearly all regions, with a scarcity of supply remaining a key feature of the market.

Over the last six months there has been just a 1.5 per cent increase in the supply of housing for sale, keeping prices somewhat motionless, the analysis shows.

Richard Donnell, director of research at Hometrack, said that a rise of 0.1 per cent recorded in Greater London offset falls of 0.1 per cent in the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, South West and Wales.
The North East saw the biggest drop, down 0.3 per cent, but house prices remained flat in the South East, East Anglia and Yorkshire and Humberside.

He added: “The proportion of the asking price being achieved jumped to 92.9 per cent in February up 0.4 per cent over the month – this is the highest proportion since September 2010.”

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Estate Agents Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Corporate Lettings Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Return of corporate lets injects boost into sluggish Surrey property market

After an achingly slow year in 2009, corporate lettings have finally returned and with great momentum injecting a welcomed boost to the sluggish property market in Surrey. Sitting on the south-west border of London, the home county of Surrey is known for its green open spaces, affluent villages such as Virginia Water and celebrity residents let alone the direct road and rail links to the Capital, superb schools, having two international airports on its doorstep and being only one hour from the South Coast.


Not only one of the most sought after destinations in which to live by Brits, Surrey is once again becoming a desirable property enclave for expats relocating to the UK for business reasons.
As James Wyatt, Partner of multi award-winning Virginia Water based estate agency, Barton Wyatt, explains:
“With the majority of international companies still having headquarters in and around the Capital, locations such as Virginia Water, Cobham, Esher and Weybridge in Surrey have become very popular alternatives to living in the city centre. Relocation agents vie for a slice of the Surrey action as many of their expats clients have families and the large homes, wide open spaces, wide range of facilities and top class schools such as The American Community School and Tasis as well as Eton, Harrow and Wellington nearby meet their needs perfectly.”

During the boom years, Surrey was awash with business expats and their families driving a very prosperous high end rental market but in line with the economic crash back in 2009, many international companies withdrew many of their expat workers leaving some homes without tenants. The last few months have seen a turnaround however with James Wyatt and his team seeing increasing numbers of expat business workers returning to the area, relocation agents searching for rental properties and more homes being let specifically to this market.

James Wyatt comments:

“We really are back to 2008 when the market was saturated with tenants and a limited choice of properties to choose from. We are seeing some clients buying more property now, as they see bricks and mortar as a safer bet than other investments. Returns are somewhere between 5 and 6% which is an attractive proposition. Rents are rising too having risen about 5% during 2011, mainly due to the lack of supply, and we expect a busy summer this year as corporations head to the safe haven of the UK.”

Having operated in this market for many years, the lettings team at Barton Wyatt are highly trained to assist expats on what could be quite a daunting and stressful journey.  Striving to make this as easy as possible for their clients, getting the location right, advising on the right school and making sure they are in a place where they will ‘fit in and feel at home quickly’ is paramount.

Jo Paris, Lettings Manager at Barton Wyatt talks of the challenges facing an expat and how her team help make the journey as painless as possible.

“When an expat family is due to fulfil a stint in the UK, the first we hear about it is often via a relocation agent.  We have very strong links with dozens of relocation agents – it is important to them and their clients that we understand their needs and can deliver a selection of suitable houses quickly and efficiently.

“Knowing the nationality is the most important thing for us, different nationalities have different needs and desires.  For instance an American is likely to want a house with spacious rooms, a utility with American sized appliances and a huge double fridge – this will not be important to a Japanese family – they will be looking for a house within a gated community and it is important to them that there are other Japanese families in their street.”

As experts in their field, Barton Wyatt is exhibiting at the 2012 Corporate Relocation Conference & Exhibition held at the Russell Hotel in London on February 6^th.  This one day event is in its 15th year and is a must for expatriates of all nationalities, International HR professionals and those advising the expatriate community. There are over 40 exhibitors with products and services that support the expatriate community, and there are also free seminars that you can attend.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Happy Valentines

Pine Acre with its very own Massage parlour on the lower ground floor, this property certainly sounds like it'll be fun for 2!

Pine Acre extends to just less than 9,000 square feet. The well proportioned and spacious accommodation is laid out to suit a contemporary lifestyle with the principal reception rooms leading off the very spacious entrance hall. The large kitchen / breakfast / family room leads to a stunning garden room with an impressive vaulted ceiling with thermostatically operated roof lantern.

On the first floor there are four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. A particularly impressive master suite stretches across the rear of the property with fabulous dressing room and balcony overlooking the mature landscaped gardens.

The second floor includes a further bedroom suite and open plan games room, separate bathroom and gym. Approached from the rear entrance is a one bedroom staff apartment with lounge, bathroom and kitchenette.

Pine Acre priced at £4,975,000

Heather Ridge - This house boasts a master suite complete with four poster bed with a mirrored ceiling - naughty but nice!

Master suite with balcony, 5 further bedroom suites over 2 floors, second floor exercise/storage room, galleried reception hall, two cloakrooms, wine store, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/family/breakfast room, study/library, study, utility room, garaging for 3 cars with a well appointed staff flat over, south facing landscaped gardens overlooking the 17th fairway and green of the championship west course.

Heather Ridge priced at £6,750,000

Birdsong - just the name alone sounds romantic. The house comprises: master bedroom suite, 3 further bedroom suites, 2 further bedrooms, family bathroom, entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, family room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, garage with room over, gardens

The master bedroom has a fabulous Juliet balcony opening onto the stunning landscaped gardens, perfect for your Romeo to woo you.

Birdsong priced at £2,150,000

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury property for sale in Virginia Water. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Premier Property Lettings

Barton Wyatt Residential Lettings department offers a premier service that is tailored to the individual client and their properties. The rental team enjoy the long term relationships which are built with clients in the Lettings environment together with the continuing need to keep up to date with the legalities of the business.

The team have spent decades covering in the Virginia Water, the Wentworth Estate and Englefield Green areas of Surrey as well as Ascot and Sunningdale areas of Berkshire. This local expertise enables them to provide the best advice to our landlords and tenants on properties for rent in Virginia Water and Surrey.



Our individually tailored services include:

• High profile marketing
• Accompanied viewings
• Tenant vetting
• Full property management
• Full inspections

Whether you are looking to rent or let a house or a flat in Virginia Water, the Wentworth Estate, Sunningdale or Ascot, the Barton Wyatt lettings team is here to help you.

Please visit our premier properties for rent Sunningdale .

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Wentworth course chief Kennedy retiring

Article provided by Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Virginia Water

Wentworth Club has announced that Chris Kennedy, Golf Courses Manager, will be retiring from his position after 22 years exemplary service. Kennedy, who joined the Club back in February 1990, will continue to work until 29th June 2012 and be responsible for his final BMW PGA Championship in May.


When Kennedy retires he will have managed the course presentation at Wentworth for a staggering 52 European Tour events.

Julian Small, Chief Executive of Wentworth Club commented:  “We wish Chris the very best in his retirement. He has been an exceptional member of the team here and overseen significant development of all our golf courses. I don’t think there is a Golf Course Manager in the world that can match Chris’s record in preparing golf courses for professional tournaments.”

Kennedy’s successor, Kenny Mackay will join Wentworth on 30th April 2012.  Currently Director of Golf Courses and Grounds at The Belfry since 2005, Kenny has gained a wealth of experience in golf course management and professional golf tournament preparation over the last 18 years, forging an enviable Curriculum Vitae including previous roles at The London Golf Club, Hanbury Manor and The Forest of Arden. He is also a Past Chairman of BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association) and a Category One golfer.

Mackay said: “I am very excited about this new challenge and realise that I am joining a world class venue with a superb tournament history.  I look forward to the professional challenges that come with the events along with meeting and getting to know the members.
“Chris Kennedy has achieved much here over the years; and now looking forward, I feel excited for all that lies ahead for me at Wentworth Club.”
Chris Kennedy said of his time at the Club: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have been Golf Courses Manager for the last 22 years at Wentworth Club.

“I would like to thank both Elliott Bernerd and Richard Caring, the two owners of the Club during my time here, for giving myself and the team the chance to be involved in all the course changes over the years.
“Wentworth is a special golfing venue with three wonderful courses, all different. Working with the Tour for the BMW PGA Championship is always the highlight of the year and all the boys have worked very hard over the years to help make the event so great.

“I would like to welcome Kenny Mackay to the Club as my replacement and working with him during our handover period. I know he will do a great job. Finally after fifty years in the golf industry, Jill and I are going home to Scotland to play some golf and spend time with our families.”

Barton Wyatt provides properties in Virginia Water and Wentworth Estate, Surrey.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000