Cambridgeshire
Carysfort Close, Elton, Peterborough
Elton is a small village, 10 minutes drive from the charming town of Oundle, famous for its public school. A large part of the village is in the ownership of the Elton Estate: an estate of 3,800 acres of unspoiled park land, farms, houses, cottages and commercial property of which Elton Hall and its magnificent gardens, owned by the Proby family since 1660, are the centre piece. A house existed on this site from Norman times. To-day, what you see is largely Jacobean, but viewed at a distance from the South it creates a fairyland fantasy of turrets, pinnacles and towers. Inside the Hall itself, which is well worth a visit in its own right, is an impressive art collection and one of the finest private libraries in the country, including an extremely rare Henry VIII prayer book. The village possesses a post office, a small general store, the beautiful 13th century church of All Saints, two pubs and a fish restaurant, as well as the estate garden centre. The Hall gardens are open every week-end. The nearest towns for shopping are Oundle (3 miles) and the Cathedral city of Peterborough (10 miles) – from which trains run frequently to London, Kings Cross, in under one hour. Elton is 86 miles North of London via the A1. Exit on the A605: after 3miles turn right for Elton.
Churchfield Court, Girton, Cambridge
Girton combines the advantages of country living with the grace, beauty, culture, shops and academic life style that Cambridge has to offer. The history of Girton has centred around St. Andrew’s Church and Girton College. Both have had a huge influence and impact on English social behaviour and thinking. The original church of St. Andrew, founded in Saxon times, has remained virtually unchanged for the past 500 years. During the middle ages Girton Guilds were formed. They organized welfare for the poorer members of the community and maintained some form of insurance for its members, the elderly and widows. The Guilds were craft based bringing together master craftsmen, journeymen and apprentices from many different trades. Girton Colege, which takes its name from the village, was established there in 1873 for the education of women by Barbara Bodichon and Emily Davies, who wrote in her pamphlet "the aim of these colleges will not be directed to changing the acceptance of women, but rather to securing whatever they do shall be done well". The village offers a village store and post office, two pubs, a tennis club and a golf course: whilst Histon, a few minutes drive, provides a wide variety of shops and services as an alternative to driving into Cambridge. Girton village is off the A1307 Huntingdon Road and close to the A14.