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."
So what does Surreygate look like? Here are some examples of the properties with gates available in the area:
houses for sale in Wentworth Estate
Hyale, Wentworth Estate £7,950,000
A grand house ideally situated on the Main Island of the Wentworth Estate opposite the 17th Green of the Championship West Course with 9,376 square feet of luxurious accommodation arranged over four floors with grounds approaching 1.63 acres.
This property has had some extremely thoughtful concepts and modern appliances integrated within. Such as 6 CCTV cameras and full alarm system, automatic gates and video entry system, aquavision televisions in the swimming pool and master en-suite bathroom, mood lighting in all principal rooms, surround sound and projector in the cinema room.
The accommodation consists of a spacious master bedroom suite with walk in dressing
room, luxurious en-suite bathroom and balcony, four further bedroom suites, galleried reception hall, cloakroom, drawing room, dining room, family room, study, loggia, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, impressive indoor swimming pool complex with spa bath, changing facilities, gymnasium, steam and plant room, second floor cinema/games rooms with kitchenette, self-contained staff flat, triple garage with large room above, extensive south facing terracing and landscaped gardens.
room, luxurious en-suite bathroom and balcony, four further bedroom suites, galleried reception hall, cloakroom, drawing room, dining room, family room, study, loggia, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, impressive indoor swimming pool complex with spa bath, changing facilities, gymnasium, steam and plant room, second floor cinema/games rooms with kitchenette, self-contained staff flat, triple garage with large room above, extensive south facing terracing and landscaped gardens.
For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visitwww.bartonwyatt.co.uk.
Park Place, Windlesham £8,000,000
This is a magnificent country house which stands impressively within a mature woodland setting and approached via a private road. Wrought iron gates open onto a gravelled drive flanked by mature trees and rhododendrons which leads to a central fountain in front of the house.
Built in 1995, this Georgian style property has been built to an exceptionally high standard. The imposing reception hall with a central staircase, marble and granite floors with under-floor heating, a hand-made kitchen and custom made furniture in many parts of the house all blend to create a unique and wonderful home.
Set over three floors:
Ground floor includes: reception hall, dining room, cinema, drawing room, music area, kitchen and utility, sitting room, study and cloakroom.
First floor has the master suite and 4 further bedroom suites. Second floor - another 4 bedroom suites.
The ample garage will house 3 cars and has a staff flat over. A generous cottage in the grounds offers further accommodation with kitchen, living area, 3 beds and bathrooms.
Priced at £8,000,000, for more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000.
Waverley, Virginia Water £3,950,000
A brand new mansion built by Danesfield Homes. THe proeperty is situated close to shops, restaurants and railway station.Six bedrooms, six bathrooms, four reception rooms, double garage, private parking, gardens of approximately 0.60 acres.
Priced at £3,950,000, for more information, please contact Barton Wyatt estate agents Surrey on 01344 843000.
