Sustainability is at the heart of the ethos of the Whitfield Estate, Hereford – and the iconic voice of the cuckoo in the woodlands was testimony to long term management and the joy of 80 members and friends of Herefordshire Country Landowners Association. 

The members were attending the county’s annual meeting where hosts, Edward and Tamsin Clive, provided a snapshot of the Estates’ diverse portfolio. This includes commercial and residential property lets, farm business tenancies, a sporting shoot and a significant  commercial development within the village of Wormbridge, all managed by agents, Balfours, whose Hereford office is based on the Estate.

Balfours Partner, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., who manages the estate, explains: “Sustainability is as important within the community as it is within the woodlands and to that end the Estate has identified potential expansion of the business centre in Wormbridge due to high demand for work space within the community.

Whitfield’s woodlands are worked in-hand, with specialist advice from Pryor and Rickett Silviculture. Guests were treated to a trip through the woodland which included the Estate’s magnificent grove of Sequoias – Giant Redwood, the oldest being more than 150 years old, and are in fine health with the tallest now close to 47m tall.

Commercially the estate not only produces high quality timber sold locally, but also averages 3, 400 cubic meters of chip and logs – which in addition to local markets are utilised to heat Whitfield House and buildings as well as to the wider estate. 

William Shuttleworth reflects: “The cuckoo was an impromptu health barometer of the 1200 acres of semi natural woodlands, which is also home to an impressive 52 bird species, including 22 out of 23 British woodland species. It is a sustainable success which the Whitfield Estate hopes to emulate through the opportunity to work locally.”

Masterful presentation enhances the beauty of this six bedroom Georgian villa, which dates back to the Napoleonic era. Incorporating a self-contained annex, it is launched to the market by Balfours. Superfast broadband and charging ports throughout are among the many assets which keep this property in its prime.

This elegant property offers convenience to Shrewsbury town centre which is just four miles south. The major road networks to Telford, the Midlands and the north are all minutes away.

Prime Property With Masterful Presentation

Agent, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., acknowledges: “This is a very welcoming property at the end of a no through road. Beyond the wrought iron gates a gravel drive passes specimen trees and shrubs, plus formal pond overlooked by the elegant veranda. Beautifully presented mature landscaped gardens surround the Villa.”

From the entrance hall reception rooms each benefit from fireplaces, deep skirting and high ceilings. The drawing room boasts French doors to the veranda, while the dining room links via double doors to the kitchen, breakfast room.

Oak mullion windows are a special feature of the kitchen, adjacent is the garden room where French doors open to the rear garden. A large utility cloakroom and cellar are all part of the package. The property provides six bedrooms and three bathrooms over two floors including the en-suite master bedroom.

A self-contained annexe with Italian marble floors provides accommodation for a dependent relative or staff to be within the homestead, but with their own space. Bicton Villa sits within generous gardens, incorporating a large garage. Charlie adds: “This is a one off, both in terms of location and presentation and behind that presentation underfloor heating is installed throughout most of the ground floor, whilst retaining original flooring.”

While this Villa may have Napoleonic links to the past, its link to the future is with superfast broadband and charging ports throughout. Bicton Villa is marketed with a guide price of £750,000. For more information call Balfours on 01743 353511.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

A Shropshire estate agency sales office manager has achieved the nationally recognised Propertymark Qualifications in The Sale of Residential Property.

Balfours, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., who is based between the company’s Shrewsbury and Ludlow offices, attained the Level three Award, meeting the National Association of Estate Agents’ (NAEA) Propertymark membership requirements as a member agent.

Abigail, who has been working as the Property Sales Office Manager at Balfours for three years, says she is delighted. She comments: “It was important for me to secure this recognised qualification working in the industry. It is not only a personal achievement but also a mark of professionalism and trust; it provides reassurance to clients that Balfours adhere to and provide the highest professional standards, and that employees are qualified and knowledgeable estate agents.”

Propertymark is the UK's foremost professional body for both estate agents and letting agents. Head of sales at Balfours, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. says Abigail’s qualification is much deserved: “We are very proud of Abigail; level three reflects our commitment to improving existing knowledge in the key areas related to residential property sales.

Abigail has now joined other members of Balfours’ staff who are members of Propertymark to include Head of lettings, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Lettings Negotiator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.are members of ARLA Propertymark - Association of Residential Letting Agents which also offer client money protection.

Alistair adds: At Balfours we are committed to a premium client service, Abigail’s qualification with Propertymark Qualifications is a further endorsement of our professionalism.

A Shropshire agent has welcomed the release of two official guides on how to buy and sell homes in England and Wales.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., head of sales at Balfours says the guides, released by the government, provide the prospective vendor and purchaser with invaluable information on how to approach and undertake what for most is one of the most important transactions they will make.

He says: “Buying or selling a home is a hugely momentous event. It has many aspects, from the practical, to the financial and of course, the emotional. As agents we are there to advise our clients on the sale and we like to think we serve them well. However by then, the vendor has already made the decision to sell and selected an agent. This is an independent step by step guide.

He continues: “Most people are in the property market on an infrequent basis over a number of years, during that time regulations are likely to have changed. For example land registry fees and the stamp duty rates are likely to be different, plus of course the relatively recent introduction of EPCs.”

Arming consumers with the right sort of questions to ask will make them much more informed. This will include gathering the right team around them, from more obvious agent, solicitor and mortgage lender to insurance cover, building regulations completion certificates to warranties for damp and subsidence to name but a few.

“When the background work has not been fully organised it leaves the door open to hesitation – when things can unexpectedly unravel which is disappointing for all parties concerned. At Balfours we know that clients who have prepared all the paperwork are much more likely to secure a swift and easy sale,” adds Alistair.

“The guidance can be downloaded at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk alternatively call in to Balfours’ office in Shrewsbury or Ludlow, where they will be pleased to provide a free copy of the 20 page booklets.

Vibrant village life, including an “Outstanding” primary school (Ofsted) and a 13th Century Church are within easy walking distance of this four bedroom property seven miles south of Shrewsbury. On the market with Balfours, the Shrubbery Farm House, Longnor, is conveniently close to the A49 and equi-distance between Shrewsbury and Church Stretton.

A cosy cottage feel incorporates beams through the open plan kitchen and dining room, where the AGA is a focal point. The living room is a bright space with a dual aspect, including French doors to the garden, whilst a wood burning stove ensures a great atmosphere on winter evenings.

Beyond the living room are double doors to the reception hall which is currently being used as a study, with front door and cloakroom off. Another door from the living room leads to the stairs ascending to the landing where the master en-suite bedroom, two further bedrooms and the family bathroom are found.

Quaint One Bedroom Annex

The fourth bedroom is part of a quaint one bedroom en-suite annex, which has been recently converted from what was the Old Granary. The ground floor provides a sitting room with the bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, creating a perfect guest suite. 

Balfours Associate, Country Home Sales’, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is marketing Shrubbery Farm House with a guide price of £545,000, call 01743 353 511 for more information.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

Built just three years ago, a short distance from the A5 and three miles west of Shrewsbury town centre; this five bedroom home boasts a high level of finish.

The paved drive with circular lawn offer a fresh approach to 3 Bluebell Place, a double fronted three storey house. Step inside and glazing ensures it is light throughout. From the entrance hall the two reception rooms each feature a bay window overlooking open countryside to the west.

Alfresco Dining

The generous sized living room has dual aspect glazing, with French doors opening to the private terrace and garden to the rear. To the bottom of the entrance hall and adjacent to the dining room, the kitchen breakfast room has a contemporary feel. Bi-fold doors to the terrace mean that during summer months meal times can seamlessly drift out to be alfresco.

The first floor has three bedrooms, two en-suites and the third utilising the family bathroom, while the second floor has an additional two bedrooms and a shared shower room. A downstairs cloak, utility room and double garage with generous parking complete the package.

On the market with Balfours, head of Sales, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. comments: “Bluebell Place is a close knit community of residential properties, which benefits from privacy and manicured communal areas. There is an excellent choice of private and public sector schools nearby. 3 Bluebell Place is marketed with a guide price of £480,000. For more information call Balfours on 01743 353511.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.