IN THE
September 2025 The Property & Lifestyle Magazine COUNTRY & TOWN
Make A Smart Move This Autumn
Property Previews INSIDE
Character Properties INSIDE
Editorial Features INSIDE
mccarthyholden.co.uk | 1 | Property For Sale & To Let | Food: Mary Berry & Suzanne Mulholland | Lifestyle & Editorial |
Within This Issue...
New Price....
P.8 PREVIEW - Old Basing, Hampshire Guide £1,100,000
Due to the market soon....
P.20 PREVIEW - Fleet, Hampshire Anticipated Guide £660,000
P.48 Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire - Guide £1,650,000
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P. 52 Hartley Wintney Guide £595,000
P. 55 Yateley Guide £450,000
P. 42 SHOWBIZ TV Celebrity Traitors - ‘They play the game beautifully’: Claudia Winkleman on the The Celebrity Traitors
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A Collection Of Exquisite Properties And Engaging Editorial
Due to the market soon....
P. 26 Fleet, Hampshire To Let - Guide £2,595 p.c.m.
P. 53 PREVIEW - Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Anticipated Guide £625,000
P. 96 HOMES - 10 ways to style winter berry shades in the home
P. 59 FOOD How to make Christmas stress-free by preparing food in November
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P.32 Hazeley Heath, Hampshire To Let - Guide £4,000 p.c.m.
P. 108 MOTORING - First drive: The Aston Martin DBX S gives you more of a good thing
P. 80 FOOD - 3 new Mary Berry recipes to make this autumn
P. 48 Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire - Guide £2,350,000
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IN THE COUNTRY &TOWN Welcome to
Creating the inspiration to move
Turning to the residential lettings house market, the South East rental market in Autumn 2025 remains very active despite broader economic uncertainty. Strong employment hubs, proximity to London, and good transport links sustain steady demand from young professionals, commuters and families priced out of the capital. Limited new-build rental supply, and owners cautious about selling amid tax and regulatory uncertainty, have kept vacancy rates low and pushed rents modestly higher. Landlord behaviour is mixed: some continue to rebuild portfolios after consolidation earlier in the cycle, while others stay watchful given potential Government policy shifts ahead. Overall, expect steady demand, modest rental growth in strong micro-markets, and continued importance of quality, location and energy performance in landlord investment decisions. Returning to house sales for this Autumn, we believe savvy buyers are already positioning themselves ahead of the budget, while others are prepared to act once the fiscal fog lifts — a pattern that has repeatedly characterised UK housing over many years.
The Autumn House Market Outlook
As the UK heads into Autumn 2025 the housing market is navigating familiar uncertainty ahead of the November budget.This is a common pattern at play: markets often go a little quiet in the run-up to a budget as buyers and sellers wait for clarity, but historically the post-budget period frequently brings renewed activity once the fiscal picture is clearer.That pattern encourages some motivated buyers to move now rather than wait, anticipating that any new measures will spark a short window of activity afterwards. Buyer demand has proved more resilient than many forecasts assumed. Open-market activity — viewings, offers and completions — has remained robust throughout 2025. This market resilience is reflected in the fact that at McCarthy Holden, house sales performed very well in September and continue to do so in October. In addition, the labour market remains a key counterweight. Employment is still strong, with wage growth holding up sufficiently to support mortgage affordability for many households. Lenders too have adapted to a higher-rate environment by refining affordability assessments and offering more creative mortgage products, which cushions some of the pressure from headline rates. Furthermore, a longer-term dynamic underpinning transactions is the growing role of intergenerational support. We have recently commented on how increasing numbers of younger purchasers have been able to step onto the ladder thanks to parental or grandparental gifts, loans, or early inheritance.This structural shift is quietly propping up demand in multiple price bands — not just the premium end.Where family support is available it reduces the reliance on high loan-to-income ratios and makes deposits more achievable, meaning a significant tranche of buyers remains active despite tighter mortgage conditions.
John Holden - Chairman McCarthy Holden
Published by Kilbricken Publishing and John Joe Photography Limited,Telephone: 07470 707275, email jjtopshot@outlook.com, web johnjoe.co.uk. Publishing 2022 - All rights reserved. Reproduction is forbidden except by express permission of the publishers.The content of this magazine is believed to be correct but its accuracy is not guaranteed and it does not form part of any offer or contract. John Joe Limited cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors.
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Guide Price: O.I.E.O. £1,100,000 Telephone 01256 704851 Old Basing, Hampshire
• Grade 11 Listed • Desirable Location • Five Bedrooms •
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See the following pages for more details
mccarthyholden.co.uk | 9
Old Basing, Hampshire Guide: O.I.E.O. £1,100,000
• Exquisite Interior • Immense Character • Garden/Garage/Driveway Parking •
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This beautifully presented Grade II listed detached thatched cottage, dating back to the 1580’s, is situated in the heart of the sought-after historical village of Old Basing and sits in almost half an acre of grounds.The current owners have sympathetically updated and modernised the cottage, inside and out and it has recently been totally re-thatched. Many of the original features such as exposed beams, brickwork, vaulted ceilings, original fireplaces and latch doors have been retained to provide a stunning family home offering flexible living. EPC n/a - Telephone 01256 704851
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Guide Price: £1,575,000 Telephone 01252 842100 Hartley Wintney, Hampshire
• Four Bedrooms & Four Bathrooms •Around 2,845 sq. ft. of Exquisite Space •
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See the following pages for more details
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Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Anticipated Guide: £1,575,000
• Early Viewing Recommended • Stunning Open-Plan Kitchen/Dining/Family Room •
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A superb four bedroom, four bathroom family home situated on a plot of around 0.3 acre, in a highly desirable cul- de-sac just 0.5 miles from the centre of Hartley Wintney village. The property has been extended and modernised to exceptionally high standards by the current owner and offers 2,854 sq ft of accommodation (exc. garage/outbuilding).
EPC C (76) - Telephone 01252 842100
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Guide Price: O.I.E.O. £1,250,000 Telephone 01252 620640 Fleet, Hampshire
• Wonderful Kitchen / Family Room • Five Bedrooms •
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See the following pages for more details
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Fleet, Hampshire Guide: O.I.E.O. £1,250,000
• Double Garage • Two En-Suite and Family Bathroom • Select Gated Development •
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Nestled within an exclusive private development, this impressive property offers an exceptional blend of luxury and tranquility.This detached family home boasts five bedrooms, including a main bedroom with dressing room and luxury
ensuite, and four elegant reception rooms. EPC C (73) - Telephone 01252 620640
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DUE TO THE OPEN MARKET SOON magazine exclusive PREVI EW
Fleet, Hampshire - Due To The Market Soon Anticipated Guide: £660,000
• Sought After Location • Four Bedrooms • Early Viewing Recommended •
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Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac just 0.8 miles from Fleet’s mainline station, this spacious four bedroom family home is ideally located on the doorstep of Fleet Pond and the surrounding nature reserve.This home has a multi car driveway and a garage and a thoughtfully designed rear garden. EPC 65 - Telephone 01252 620640
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Odiham, Hampshire Guide: £850,000
• Sought After Village Location • No Onward Chain • Kitchen/Dining Room •
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A well presented three bedroom, Grade II Listed family home in the centre of the desirable village of Odiham and close to all of the amenities on offer.The property boasts a wealth of character and charm with many original features and is offered to the market with no onward chain. EPC n/a - Telephone 01256 704851
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Fleet, Hampshire Guide: £590,000
A beautifully presented four bedroom home on the popular Edenbrook development, offering modern, open-plan living, with a feature of the property being the landscaped garden which backs onto the tranquil nature reserve. EPC B (85) - Telephone 01252 620640
• Backing Onto Woodland • Four Bedrooms • Two Bathrooms •
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Eversley, Hampshire Guide: £525,000
Having undergone refurbishment in recent years to include new windows, doors and flooring, this three bedroom home in Eversley village occupies a corner plot in a quiet cul-de-sac. Features include modern interior and a private
landscaped rear garden backing on to fields EPC D (65) - Telephone 01252 842100
• Garage • Three Bedrooms • Corner Plot •
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Fleet, Hampshire Guide: £2,595 p.c.m.
Nestled within the highly sought after Hartland Village Development, this beautifully presented three bedroom family home offers a blend of modern design and comfortable living, with bright, airy spaces and contemporary finishes. Unfurnished, available from 25th November. Energy rating B/ Council Tax Band E / Tenancy Length – 12 months. ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY – CONTACT AGENT FOR DETAILS Tel: 01252 622550
• Three Bedrooms • Garage •
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Odiham, Hampshire Guide: £1,650 p.c.m.
Located in the highly sought after village of Odiham, this well-maintained two bedroom terraced home offers comfortable and practical living, ideal for a single professional or couple. Unfurnished, available now.
Energy Efficiency Rating – C / Council Tax Band – E / Tenancy Length - 12 months ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY – CONTACT AGENT FOR DETAILS Tel: 01252 622550
• Allocated Parking Space • Well Presented Interior •
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LET AGREED
Fleet, Hampshire Guide: £2,750 p.c.m.
Four bedroom property on a corner plot with living room, dining/family room leading to conservatory, sleek kitchen/ breakfast room, three bathrooms (including loft extension with roll top bath) driveway, double garage. Unfurnished, available from mid October. Energy rating C / Council Tax Band F / Tenancy Length – 12 months. ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY – CONTACT AGENT FOR DETAILS Tel: 01252 622550
• Four Bedrooms • Double Garage •
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Established & Reliable Letting Agency Services
Landlords and Tenants alike can rest assured that representatives of McCarthy Holden will treat all our customers with courtesy and a positive service attitude, inexorably intertwined with honesty and professionalism.
Telephone 01252 622550
www.mccarthyholden.co.uk
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Letting Agency Services With Experienced Personnel • Fleet Branch Focus •
Landlords can rest assured that representatives of McCarthy Holden looking after their properties are experienced and highly professional.
At our Fleet branch you will find a wealth of experience and abilities and the re-assurance of ARLA and SAFEAGENT memberships.
If you are a Landlord looking for excellent property marketing and reliable property management, then contact us for a free valuation.
Telephone 01252 622550
www.mccarthyholden.co.uk
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Nicola Bremner (MARLA) Director - Almost 20 years with McCarthy Holden and leader of this division.
Penny Quinn Property Management - Vast experience in this specialised job for house maintenance.
Sandra Gardner (MARLA) Property visits and renewals - 15 years with McCarthy Holden in this key job role.
Ashlyn Moss Property Consultant - Sales, viewings and initial lease agreement drafting.
Elizabeth Busbridge Property Consultant - Sales, viewings and initial lease agreement drafting.
Julie Adams (MARLA) Manager - All aspects of the lettings functions in our Fleet branch.
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Guide Price: £4,000 p.c.m. Telephone 01252 622550 Hazeley Heath, Nr. Hartley Wintney, Hampshire
• Four Bedrooms • Far Reaching Rural Views •
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See the following pages for more details
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Hazeley Heath, Nr. Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Guide: £4,000 p.c.m.
• Early Viewing Recommended • Excellent Kitchen/Dining Room •
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A substantial 4 bedroom detached period home with character, offering flexible accommodation and countryside views. Gated entrance, ample parking plus 2 garages. Unfurnished, available now.
Energy Efficiency rating - E /Council Tax Band - G / Tenancy Length – 12 months ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY – CONTACT AGENT FOR DETAILS Telephone 01252 622550
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Guide Price: OIEO £1,500,000 Telephone 01256 704851 Dogmersfield, Hampshire
• Three Bathrooms • Six Bedrooms •
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See the following pages for more details
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Dogmersfield, Hampshire Guide: OIEO £1,500,000
• Superb Kitchen / Diner • Beautiful Garden with Countryside Views •
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Entered via private electric gates, this impressive six bedroom detached family home sits within private grounds in excess of one acre, and is nestled in the desirable Hampshire village of Dogmersfield enjoying wonderful countryside views. EPC D (59) - Telephone 01256 704851
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Guide Price: £1,500,000 Telephone 01252 620640
• Off Market Sale • Superb Setting •
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SALE AGREED SEPTEMBER
Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire
Character House In Prime Location
• similar property wanted •
Join the UpTick
arrange a free valuation
mccarthyholden.co.uk | 41
Photo: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William and James Norton as Harold.
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SHOWBIZ TV Celebrity Traitors ‘They play the game beautifully’: Claudia Winkleman on the The Celebrity Traitors By Lynn Rusk PA In a world dominated by Netflix,TikTok, and doom scrolling, event TV has become a rare phenomenon, though a few shows still manage to capture audiences. When The Traitors premiered in November 2022, the reality competition series drew an average of 5.4 million viewers each week, eager to watch the latest twists of deception and betrayal. Since then, the increasingly popular murder-mystery-style psychology game, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, has aired three series and is now gearing up for a celebrity edition. The show, adapted from the Dutch series De Verraders, pits a group of secretly appointed “traitors” against a majority of “faithfuls.”
It’s up to the faithfuls to identify the traitors and banish them from the game before they become the next victims.
Continued on following pages >
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Players who survive to the end have the chance to win the prize money but if a traitor goes undetected, they’ll take it all. The Celebrity Traitors will see 19 famous faces, including broadcaster Clare Balding and singer Paloma Faith, gather in the Scottish Highlands for the chance to win up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. Retired Olympic diver Tom Daley, actor Sir Stephen Fry, and Thursday Murder Club star Celia Imrie are also among the competitors. Joining them are former England rugby player and podcaster Joe Marler, actresses Tameka Empson and Ruth Codd,Welsh singer Charlotte Church, singer Cat Burns, and comedians Alan Carr and Nick Mohammed. Rounding out the cast are comedians Lucy Beaumont and Joe Wilkinson, historian David Olusoga, Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway,YouTube star Niko Omilana, Scottish actor Mark Bonnar and presenter Jonathan Ross.
game beautifully and were fully immersed in it. It was an extraordinary experience, and we’re so lucky 19 people said yes. It’s something we never take for granted and are so grateful for.” Balding, 54, who has presented coverage of the Olympic Games and Wimbledon for the BBC, says she is drawn to the show from a psychological perspective. “I love the show.Yes, I really find it fascinating, the way group thinking can be influenced,” the Hampshire-born presenter explains. “I don’t know whether I can resist that or whether I can influence that, and I’m kind of interested in it from a psychological perspective.Also, I really want to see the castle, I want to see the grounds, and I want to meet the peacocks. Genuinely, I think it’s a fascinating programme and it’s like nothing else.” Asked about her ability to read people, she adds:“I think I am good at it, but I can be much too trusting, so it would be very easy for somebody to convince me that they were not a Traitor. I have a few things I’ll try to look out for, and if I spot anyone being a bit casual about trying to get a shield, that will be very telling.”
Winkleman, 53, admits she was scared when the idea of a celebrity edition was first pitched.
“I was scared. Only because I’m in love with this show and I wanted to keep it small,” says the London-born broadcaster. “Once a year, or maybe once every two years, felt like enough. My bosses, thank goodness, ignored everything I said.” Asked about the line-up of celebrities, she adds:“It’s an absolute honour. I could barely breathe when I saw them all in the Highlands. I’m such a fan of every single one of them. “The whole team were just in awe, it was hard not to scream,‘you’re here!’ When I talked to Stephen Fry, I almost welled up; I told him,‘this was my dream.’ We’re incredibly lucky to have the cast that we have. Each one of them is tremendous.”
Winkleman, who also co-hosts Strictly Come Dancing, says staying in character was harder with the celebrity series.
“The biggest challenge was being ‘strict,’” she explains.“All I wanted to do was chat and be friendly, but my role is aloof and grumpy. I found it hard not to just sit down with them and have a cup of tea.
“My family and I are obsessed with Joe Wilkinson. I had to stop myself from getting his autograph for my son.”
She adds:“They’re incredibly smart and kind.They play the
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Hull-born Beaumont says she has no game plan coming into the show.
“I don’t think game plans work,” says the 42-year-old comedian.“I’ve seen people think they have a game plan, but it always comes undone. I think it’s just luck – they’ve said the right thing at the right time and were aligned with the right people. I don’t have a plan for anything; I’m going to go with the flow.” Asked if her comedy skills will come in useful, she adds: “Maybe that might help to an extent, until it starts to annoy people. I think I’m good at getting on with people, so that’s the only thing I can offer. It’s a sort of fairly OK demeanour! I haven’t got any type of plan, and I doubt I’ll contribute much to the missions, so the only thing I’ve got going is that I’m moderately pleasant.” She adds:“If I was a Traitor, I think I could convince myself that I was a Faithful, and then I don’t think it’s so much like lying. If I could make myself genuinely believe that, then I think that’s what would get me through it.”
Faith, 44, says she plans to get rid of the boring ones if given the chance.
“Oh, I’d still vote out boring people if I’m a Faithful,” says the Hackney-born singer.
“If I don’t think someone is contributing much to our entertainment, I’ll just exert my influence at the Round Table. When asked how she is at reading people she laughs:“I’m exceptional at reading people, and I’m worried that I’ll get voted off or murdered, because they’ll see that in me. “I need to keep it under the radar about how good at it I am. I’m at the point in my life where people don’t even want to introduce me to their new boyfriend because they’re worried I’ll say I don’t get good vibes from him.” She adds:“I quite like murdering people! I might see a different side to myself. I think that I’m always very moral and on my high horse so I might be surprised if I do some backstabbing.”
The Celebrity Traitors is showing on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Photo: James Norton as King Harold and Indy Lewis as Margaret.
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Guide Price: £1,650,000 Telephone 01252 620640 Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire
• Electric Entrance Gates •Around 4,000 sq. ft. of Exquisite Space •
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See the following pages for more details
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Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire Guide: £1,650,000
• High Specification • Stunning Open-Plan Kitchen/Dining/Family Room •
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Constructed 7 years ago to a high specification, this spacious family home offers accommodation in excess of 4,000 sq ft.The property is situated in a prime position within the Blue Triangle where Fleet high street and Fleet main line train station are within a short distance. The bespoke Lewis Alderson Designer kitchen/breakfast room has been thoughtfully designed and comprises an array of Farrow and Ball hand painted kitchen units, including a breakfast cupboard with power sockets, and an expanse of work surfaces, which are complemented by high quality appliances including a Falcon Duel Fuel range cooker, a Quooker instant hot tap, a Miele inbuilt microwave, a Miele dishwasher and a Liebherr Fridge and Freezer. EPC B (86) - Telephone 01252 620640
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Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Guide: £595,000
A well presented three bedroom, semi-detached home which benefits from internal modernisation. Open plan kitchen/dining room, living room with log burning stove, garage with parking. Positioned within a short walk from Hartley Wintney village high street. EPC C (73) - Telephone 01252 842100
• Southerly Aspect Rear Garden • Garage • Close To Village Centre •
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DUE TO THE OPEN MARKET SOON magazine exclusive PREVI EW
Hartley Wintney, Hampshire Guide: £625,000
A high specification three bedroom mid-terraced home built by Millgate Homes in 2007. Set in a gated development near the village centre, features include a modern kitchen, bright living room, en-suite, and allocated parking. EPC C (76) - Telephone 01252 842100
• Gated Development • Three Bedrooms • Early Viewing Recommended •
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Church Crookham, Hampshire Guide: O.I.E.O. £475,000
A stunning four bedroom end-of-terrace townhouse in Crookham Park, featuring modern kitchen and a spacious family room with doors to rear garden. The rear garden has been beautifully landscaped, and the property benefits from two parking spaces, and easy access to SANGS land. EPC B (91) - Telephone 01252 620640
• End of Terrace • Ensuite To Bedroom One • Two Allocated Parking Spaces •
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Yateley, Hampshire Guide: £450,000
A three bedroom semi-detached home in a sought-after location, featuring a dual-aspect sitting/dining room, fitted kitchen and cloakroom, driveway, detached garage, and rear garden with lawn and paved terrace. Close to schools, local amenities, and transport links. EPC D (66) - Telephone 01252 842100
• Close to schools • Three Bedrooms • Early Viewing Recommended •
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Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire Guide: £350,000
Well presented two bedroom second floor apartment in Fleet’s sought after Blue Triangle. Featuring a spacious living area, en suite, separate kitchen, garage, and communal gardens, the property is ideally located near Fleet town centre. EPC C (79) - Telephone 01252 620640
• Sought After Location • En-suite To Bedroom One • Garage And Visitors Parking •
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Church Crookham, Hampshire Guide: £635,000
An impressive four bedroom detached home in Crookham Park, featuring a modern kitchen/dining area, spacious living room with access to the rear garden, and study. Externally, there is garage with driveway parking and low maintenance rear garden. EPC B (86) - Telephone 01252 620640
• Close to schools • Three Bedrooms • Early Viewing Recommended •
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Photo: Suzanne Mulholland, aka,The Batch Lady
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FOOD Batch - Suzanne Mulholland How to make Christmas stress-free by preparing food in November – according to ‘The Batch Lady’ By Lauren Taylor, PA Suzanne Mulholland once declared she ‘hated’ Christmas Day – she was the person who ended up organising the entire event, from presents, to decorations and, of course, the food. “When the kids were little, I actually didn’t like Christmas. I didn’t feel it was my day. I felt like it was everybody else’s day,” the 49-year-old says.“I look back on it now and think I really did miss some key moments where I would have loved being the one sitting just helping build Lego, or whatever it was, but I felt tied to the kitchen.” To make a busy life with children easier Mulholland started batch cooking, and after sharing videos on YouTube and Instagram,‘The Batch Lady’ Instagram account was born.With it, the mum-of-two was able to transform Christmas so she wasn’t cooking all day. “I started to change gradually. I would make sure my roast potatoes were done, but I always felt like there was quite a lot that maybe I couldn’t do in advance.And then over the years, I’ve actually managed to do it all in advance. Everything. “If you happen to have a Friday morning or a Tuesday evening in November where you’re not doing anything, you can think, actually, I might get four recipes done for Christmas.” November is the perfect time to start, she says, and buying a lot of your Christmas food in November can help spread the cost. “You can do it all in November, when you don’t have every other activity going on, like the Christmas fete at school, your kids Carol concert and your work night out. December becomes really busy for us.” So, getting ahead for the festive period isn’t just about prepping the Christmas Day meal, Mulholland also batch cooks plenty of one-pot meals to freeze and reheat during December. Mulholland has two types of recipes – “Either you ‘cook ahead’ – which means cooking it and putting it in the freezer, or ‘grab and cook’ which means you’re making it up raw, and then you’re putting it in the freezer,” she explains.
Here’s how to make it work for you this Christmas…
‘Cook ahead’: What to cook, freeze and reheat on the day
Mulholland says accompaniments like bread sauce and cranberry sauce, as well as sides like roast potatoes and Brussel sprouts, can be fully cooked and frozen – far in advance.“I do a lovely shredded Brussels sprout with pancetta, and you actually make that in advance, because it shreds, it lasts.” Homemade Yorkshire puddings make well in advance to freeze, or try Mulholland’s recipe for mulled wine red cabbage.While the method works well for starters too, think parsnip and apple soup, or desserts like panettone bread and butter pudding.
Continued on following page >
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“The whole point of freezer cooking is that you use recipes that are meant to be frozen.Those recipes are specifically created to make sure that they’re going to be delicious.” And freezing doesn’t take away from the flavour.“People would be so surprised to know that in the absolute top- end restaurants [chefs] prep in advance.A lot of that will come out of freezers and fridges that have been prepped in advance.A lot of things actually taste better if you’ve cooked them in advance.” ‘Grab and cook’:What to prepare ahead, freeze but cook on the day While some parts of Christmas can be completely made and frozen, her methods aren’t about doing that for the entire meal.“We’re still cooking Christmas dinner.We’re just not prepping everything from scratch,” explains Mulholland. “Prepping ahead is really that you’re getting it ready, but you’re not necessarily cooking it.You’re just getting all the ingredients ready together,” she says, for example, mixing the stuffing ingredients and putting into balls, before freezing uncooked, or wrapping the bacon around sausages for pigs in blankets. “In November, I will make the herby butter [to use under the turkey skin] and wrap it up. I’ll get the pack of streaky bacon and put it beside the herby butter. I’ll make my stuffing mix.Then I’ll get my frozen turkey from the shops and I’ll put it next to it. So I’ve really created this meal prep kit that when I bring it out, it’s defrosting, and I know that everything’s there. “Roast veg – you parboil them, cover them in oil, put your lovely seasoning over it, and then you flash freeze it [putting it in the freezer for two hours].You’ve part cooked them.You haven’t cooked [them] to the end and then re-cooked. It’s about prepping everything so it’s ready to come out and be cooked from frozen, but it is being cooked on the day.” Do this for starters and nibbles too, like pork and stilton sausage rolls, and cheese and chutney straws. Cold starters, such as chicken liver pate or mushroom and tarragon pate, make easy freezer items too.
whatever, or I’ll grab a takeaway’
“It’s automatically going to cost you more money – and that’s a normal work day. So you take that tenfold into the busiest December, and you are racking up a lot of money and a lot of stress.” The Batch Lady Saves Christmas by Suzanne Mulholland is published by Ebury Press, priced £25. Photography by Andrew Hayes-Watkins, available now
Batch cook some additional ‘December dinners’
Make December extra easy by making and freezing some nutritious meals you can take out of the freezer whenever life gets a bit busy.Think pork, parsnip and mustard traybake, Cajun-spiced chicken, or coconut and butternut squash curry. “[If you know] ‘I’ve got a fish pie in the freezer, and I’m going to put it in the oven tonight’ – that is the easiest thing ever, because you can make a fish pie in three minutes. But if you haven’t done that, your headspace is ‘I don’t know what I’ve got in the house, I don’t know who’s in or who wants to eat. I’ll stop at the shops, I’ll grab
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7. Flash-freeze on the baking tray then place the pie in a freezer bag.
FOOD Recipe Pie
To reheat: Oven : Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan. Place the frozen pie on a lined baking tray and cook for 45–55 minutes, covering with foil if it’s browning too quickly.
The Batch Lady’s festive Camembert puff pie recipe By PA “A glorious centrepiece!” says time-saving guru Suzanne Mulholland.“This is a ‘cook ahead’ recipe and some elements are cooked before freezing, but it will need further cooking once out of the fridge/freezer.”
If cooking now:
Follow the method in the ‘making ahead’ section up until the end of step 6.
To cook in an oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan. Cook on a lined baking tray for 35–40 minutes until golden, covering with foil if it’s browning too quickly. To cook in an air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 170°C and line the basket with baking parchment. Cook for 35–40 minutes until golden, covering with foil if it’s browning too quickly.
Festive Camembert puff pie
Ingredients (Prep: 20 minutes, serves 6)
500g frozen butternut squash chunks 2tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, diced 1tsp frozen chopped garlic 300g chestnut mushrooms, sliced 1 x 500g block of puff pastry Plain flour, for dusting 150g Camembert cheese, cut into slices 2tbsp cranberry sauce
1 egg, beaten
Method (if making ahead for the fridge or freezer)
To cook in an oven:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan. Drizzle the squash with olive oil and season well, then roast on a baking tray for 20–25 minutes until golden.
2. Fry the onion and garlic in the remaining oil until soft, add the mushrooms and cook for 5–6 minutes.
3. Combine the cooked mushrooms and squash in a bowl and leave to cool.
4. Cut the pastry in half and roll out both pieces on a lightly floured surface to a £1 coin thickness. Cut a 23cm circle from one (use a plate as a template) and a 28cm circle from the other. 5. Place the smaller circle onto a parchment-lined baking tray.Add the mushroom and squash, leaving a 2.5cm gap at the edges.Top with the Camembert and the cranberry sauce. 6. Brush the pastry edges with beaten egg, then lay the larger pastry circle on top. Press around the edges with a fork. Brush all over with egg and decorate with leftover pastry, cut into shapes.
Photo: festive Camembert Puff Pie.
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FOOD Recipe Potatoes
To cook in an air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 190°C.Add the oiled potatoes to the air fryer basket and cook for 20–25 minutes, shaking them every 10 minutes. The Batch Lady Saves Christmas by Suzanne Mulholland is published in hardback by Ebury Press, priced £25. Photography by Andrew Hayes-Watkins.Available now
The Batch Lady’s roast po- tato recipe By PA “Roast potatoes might be the best part of the meal!” says time-saving expert and cook Suzanne Mulholland.“These made-in-advance roasties cook straight from frozen and are one of my most popular recipes ever.”
Roast potatoes
Ingredients
(Prep: 10 minutes, serves: 4–6)
1kg Maris Piper potatoes 80g melted goose fat or 5tbsp olive oil (use olive oil if cooking for vegetarians or vegans) Salt and pepper
Method (if making ahead for the fridge or freezer)
1. Slice the potatoes into quarters and add to a saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil over a high heat. Cook for 6–7 minutes, then drain and return the potatoes to the saucepan to allow to steam dry. 2 Add the melted goose fat or olive oil to a tray, then tip in the hot potatoes.Turn to coat them well in the oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Flash-freeze the tray of potatoes for 1 hour to allow them to get hard, then transfer them to a large labelled freezer bag and freeze flat. To cook in an oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan. Place a baking tray in the oven for 3 minutes to heat. Carefully remove from the oven and add the frozen potatoes to the hot tray. Cook for 40–50 minutes until roasted and delicious. To cook in an air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 190°C.Add the frozen potatoes to the air fryer basket and cook for 30–35 minutes, shaking them every 10 minutes.
If cooking now:
Follow the method in the ‘making ahead’ section up until the end of step 2.
To cook in an oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan. Place a baking tray in the oven for 3 minutes to heat up. Carefully remove from the oven and add the oiled potatoes to the hot tray. Cook for 35 minutes until roasted and delicious.
Photo: Suzanne Mulholland’s roast potatoes.
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To cook in an oven:To cook separately, preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan and line a 900g loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Press the stuffing mixture into the tin and cook for 25–30 minutes until cooked through. To cook in an air fryer:To cook separately, preheat the air fryer to 180°C and line a 900g loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Press the stuffing mixture into the tin and cook for 20–25 minutes until cooked through. The Batch Lady Saves Christmas by Suzanne Mulholland is published in hardback by Ebury Press, priced £25. Photography by Andrew Hayes-Watkins.Available now
FOOD Recipe Stuffing
The Batch Lady’s sage, cheddar and chestnut stuff - ing By PA “This is a delicious stuffing mixture, perfect either for stuffing the turkey or for cooking separately,” says family cooking guru Suzanne Mulholland.
Sage, cheddar and chestnut stuffing
Ingredients
(Prep: 15 minutes, serves 4-6)
1 x 170g packet of dried sage and onion stuffing 2tbsp orange juice 400g pork sausage meat 70g grated Cheddar 90g cooked chestnuts, finely diced
Method (if making ahead for the fridge or freezer)
1.Add the stuffing to a mixing bowl and pour over the amount of boiling water stated on the packet, along with the orange juice. Leave to stand according to the packet instructions.
2.Add the sausage meat, cheese and chestnuts and mix with your hands until they all come together.
3.Add to a large labelled freezer bag and freeze flat.
To cook in an oven: Remove from the freezer and leave to fully defrost.This can now be used to stuff your turkey or be cooked separately.To cook separately, preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan and line a 900g loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Press the stuffing mixture into the tin and cook for 25–30 minutes until cooked through. To cook in an air fryer: Remove from the freezer and leave to fully defrost.This can now be used to stuff your turkey or be cooked separately.To cook separately, preheat the air fryer to 180°C and line a 900g loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Press the stuffing mixture into the tin and cook for 20–25 minutes until cooked through.
If cooking now:
Follow the method in the ‘making ahead’ section up until the end of step 2.This can now be used to stuff your turkey or be cooked separately.
Photo: Cheddar And Chestnut Stuffing.
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Guide Price: £2,350,000 Telephone 01252 620640 Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire
• Wonderful Grounds •Around 6,000 sq. ft. of Exquisite Space •
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See the following pages for more details
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Fleet (Blue Triangle), Hampshire Guide: £2,350,000
• No Onward Chain • Stunning Open-Plan Kitchen/Dining/Family Room •
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With its striking architectural design featuring sloped roofs and crisp white timber cladding the house evokes the charm of Dutch coastal homes. Greenacre is a thoughtfully designed retreat, radiating care and attention in every detail, both inside and out.There is a splendid kitchen / breakfast room on the ground floor. The first-floor features five generously sized double bedrooms.The primary suite includes a private dressing room, a spacious en suite with his and hers sinks, and access to a large terrace. Bedroom two also benefits from its own en suite, while a well- appointed family bathroom serves the remaining rooms on this floor. The top floor of the home offers two expansive bedrooms that stretch across the length of the house. EPC B (86) - Telephone 01252 620640
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Due to the open market Spring 2026....
Anticipated 2026 Guide Price: O.I.E.O. £2,500,000 to £3.0m. Telephone 01252 842100 Finchampstead (The Ridges), Berkshire
• No Onward Chain •Almost 7,400 sq. ft. of Space • Wellington College nearby
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Guide Price: Offers In Excess Of £1,275,000 Telephone 01256 704851 North Warnborough, Hampshire
• Wonderful Grounds • Superb Setting •
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North Warnborough, Hampshire Guide: Offers In Excess Of £1,275,000
• Swimming Pool • Five Bedrooms • Two Bathrooms •
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Situated within the sought after village of North Warnborough, this wonderful Grade II listed former barn was converted in the1970’s to a family home and offers a wealth of character and charm throughout. EPC n/a - Telephone 01256 704851
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Guide Price: £1,295,000 Telephone 01256 704851 Mapledurwell, Hampshire
• Five Bedrooms • Five Bathrooms •
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See the following pages for more details
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Mapledurwell, Hampshire Guide: £1,295,000
• Double Garage • Stunning Open-Plan Kitchen/Dining/Family Room •
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An attractive, high specification five bedroom, five bathroom family home built by renowned local builder Champion Homes. The property provides 2,920 sq. ft of accommodation and is set in an idyllic rural setting yet within easy access of highly regarded schools and Basingstoke town centre. EPC B (87) - Telephone 01256 704851
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Guide Price: £1,295,000 Telephone 01252 842100 Finchampstead (The Ridges), Berkshire
• Sought After Setting •Built C.20 Years Ago - Replicating 17th Century Property •
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See the following pages for more details
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Finchampstead (The Ridges), Berkshire Guide Price: £1,295,000
• Fine Garden • Excellent Kitchen / Breakfast Room •
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An attractive, modern family home with five bedrooms, three bathrooms and beautifully landscaped gardens in the highly desirable Ridges area of Finchampstead. Built around 20 years ago to replicate 17th century property styling, but with high specification modern materials and convenience in mind, the property offers a generous gated driveway, with detached double garage as well as a beautiful rear garden with mature planting and trees and a generous patio area. EPC tbc - Telephone 01252 842100
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Photo: Mary Berry.
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FOOD Mary Berry 3 new Mary Berry recipes to make this autumn By PA Mary Berry turned 90 this year and to celebrate, she has released a new cookbook, Mary 90 – aiming to give home cooks a ‘career-spanning’ collection of fuss-free recipes for many different occasions.
It accompanies a new BBC TV series, Mary at 90:A Lifetime of Cooking.
The TV chef shares a mixture of brand-new recipes and her nostalgic classics, with Berry saying it has been a “sheer joy” to write, and includes the baking she’s so known for, alongside tasty, easy mid-week meals and crowd pleasers.
Fragrant chicken traybake
Photo: Mary Berry’s fragrant chicken traybake.
“An all-in-one dish, this delicious, aromatic chicken recipe is vibrant and full of flavour,” says Berry.“Serve with rice or a dressed salad.”
Ingredients:
(Serves 4–6)
Continued on following page >
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1 large aubergine, sliced into half-moons
Skate wing with caper sauce and samphire
2 peppers, deseeded and sliced into large pieces
“Hugely popular, skate wings are readily available and simple to cook.The sauce makes the dish extra special. Buy samphire from the fish counter in the supermarket or farm shop,” says Berry.
1 large onion, sliced
3tbsp sunflower oil
Ingredients:
3 dried lime leaves
(Serves 4)
1 large stick of lemongrass, bashed
4 x 400g skate wings, edges trimmed with scissors
3 large chicken breast fillets, each sliced in half
100g butter, softened, plus a knob
2tbsp sweet chilli sauce
Juice of ½ lemon
150g baby spinach leaves
4tbsp capers
Small bunch of Thai basil, chopped
4tbsp finely chopped parsley
For the fragrant sauce:
400g fresh samphire
1 x 400ml can coconut milk
Method:
2tbsp Thai red curry paste
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6.
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2. Lie the skate wings on a board and use half the butter to spread over both sides of the skate wings. Season well with salt and ground black pepper. 3. Heat a large frying pan over a high heat.When hot, brown the wings in batches for 2 minutes on each side until golden. 4. Place the browned wings in a large roasting tin and transfer to the preheated oven. Roast for about 15 minutes until cooked through (the translucent flesh will become opaque when it is done).To test for doneness, try to pull the flesh away carefully from the bones with a sharp knife – if it comes away easily, it is done. Place on a large platter and cover with foil. Leave to rest in a warm place. 4.Add the remaining butter to the frying pan and heat until nutty brown in colour.Add the lemon juice, capers and parsley and remove from the heat. 5. Meanwhile, cook the samphire in a large frying pan with a knob of butter and a splash of water over a high heat. Fry for a few minutes to heat through. 6. Divide the samphire between the plates and top each one with a skate wing. Pour over the caper butter sauce to serve.
2tsp freshly grated ginger
Juice of 1 lime
2tsp fish sauce
2tbsp sweet chilli sauce
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/Gas 7.
2.To make the sauce, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. 3. Scatter the aubergine, peppers and onion into a large shallow roasting tin. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the oil and toss everything together. Pour over half of the sauce. Add the lime leaves and lemongrass to the tin and roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. 4.Toss the chicken in the remaining oil and the sweet chilli sauce, and season well. Place a large frying pan over a high heat until very hot.Add the chicken and brown very quickly until sealed and golden, stirring constantly. 5. Remove the roasting tin from the oven and pour over the remaining sauce. Place the chicken on top and return to the oven for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. 6.Transfer the chicken onto a plate. Stir the spinach and Thai basil into the sauce and vegetables in the tin and gently warm over the hob until the spinach has wilted.
Best made and served. Not suitable for freezing.
7. Serve the chicken traybake with rice. Best made and served. Not suitable for freezing.
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Photo: Mary Berry’s skate wing with capers sauce and samphire.
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35–40 minutes until well risen and lightly golden. Leave to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. 5. Meanwhile, make the frosting. Measure the butter, vanilla and icing sugar into a large bowl and whisk using an electric hand whisk until combined.Add the cream cheese and beat until creamy and light. 6. Peel the paper from the bases of the sponges and invert one onto a plate. Spread with frosting. Place the other cake on top and use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides, leaving a pretty swirl on top. Decorate with walnuts or pecans to serve. Can be made and assembled up to 8 hours ahead. Freezes well but best to ice on the day. Mary 90 – My Very Best Recipes by Mary Berry is published in hardback by BBC Books, priced £28. Photography by Tara Fisher.Available now
Carrot cake with frosting
“A carrot cake is so popular, especially in coffee shops and bakeries,” says Berry.“My version includes my favourite spices. Carrot cake originated in the USA where they make cakes with oil, rather than our butter-based sponges. Use a flavourless oil, such as sunflower or vegetable.”
Ingredients:
(Serves 8–10)
4 large eggs
175g caster sugar
75g light muscovado sugar
250ml sunflower oil, plus extra for greasing
1tsp vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, mashed
150g carrots, peeled and coarsely grated
275g self-raising flour
2tsp baking powder
1tsp ground cinnamon
1tsp ground ginger
½tsp mixed spice
55g walnuts or pecans, finely chopped, plus a few extra for decoration
For the cream cheese frosting:
250g butter, softened
2tsp vanilla extract
350g icing sugar
350g full-fat cream cheese
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas 4. Grease and line the bases of 2 x 20cm (8in) loose-bottomed sandwich tins. 2. Break the eggs into a large bowl and beat with a fork to break up.Add the caster and muscovado sugar, oil and vanilla and mix well. 3.Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and whisk using an electric hand whisk until just combined. Be careful not to over beat. 4. Divide the mixture between the two prepared tins and level the surface. Bake in the preheated oven for about
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