Latest news with #Tunworth
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I spent 13 years renovating my grade II listed cottage in Hampshire - here's why I'm selling up
Thirteen years ago Claire O'Donnell purchased Rose Cottage in Tunworth, a hamlet in Hampshire. She fell in love with the grade II-listed cottage's charm and character and the fact it is nestled in a quiet location but still close to amenities. The 68-year-old, who worked as an airline stewardess with British Airways before retraining as an interior designer after having children, has viewed the cottage as a labour of love over the years. The property's previous owners had lived in France and only occasionally visited. When Claire and her family purchased the property, which was built in the late eighteenth century, it was clear it needed to be lived in and looked after. 'As they say, when the cat's away the mice will play, and the mice were certainly at play in Rose Cottage', Claire told This is Money. She added: 'The hand-made curtains in the living room were nibbled away all along the skirting boards. 'After carefully relocating the wildlife outside, I could see the opportunity to revitalise and restore the cottage, maintaining its period heritage while bringing it into the twenty-first century.' Since buying Rose Cottage, Claire has undertaken major renovation works at the property. Among other works, Claire has raised the height of the ceiling in the main bedroom in order to show off the original timber beams. The entire cottage has been redecorated throughout and Claire curated a Jack and Jill style bathroom upstairs to create a better sense of space. The floor has been upgraded in the kitchen and garden room, and the height above the Aga has been raised. Claire converted a pair of outbuildings into a high-spec home office and utility room. She's also shifted the paddock so its alongside the garden and built stabling for two horses. On the renovation process, Claire said: 'It's been an ongoing process since we moved in. I knew what I wanted to do initially, but then living in the cottage over the past 13 years, we've evolved together. 'There have been moments of inspiration that have led to small changes, then grander plans like converting the old office that were a few years in the making. 'Then the nuances of maintaining and preserving a period property play a part too - for example, I'd been longing to have the driveway updated but had to wait until the thatch was due to be re-done first.' What a setting: The thatched roof of Rose Cottage has been redone recently The gardens at Rose Cottage, which is just a 10 minute drive from Basingstoke, are exceptional, but Claire has a little help getting them in shape. She said: 'I have some help in the garden. Steve keeps the lawns and hedges so beautiful and takes great pride in them. Emily is my expert gardener, her knowledge and practical skills keep the beds and formal areas bursting with colour and life.' Thirteen years after moving in, Claire's now ready to make her next move and spruce up another property. Claire told This is Money: 'We'll be very sad to leave Rose Cottage, it's such a special place. 'We're selling as we've reached that point where we're ready for a new adventure and to scale down a bit. 'I'm from North Devon originally and a part of me has always wanted to move back, or settle near the sea.' She added: 'Seeing the first tulips bloom at Rose Cottage and hearing the swallows come back to nest for the summer never fails to lift my spirits. I'll miss all of it tremendously.' The home is on the market via Knight Frank, with an asking price of £1.895million. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
Daily Record
21-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
King Charles' breakfast recipe which includes 'nutrient powerhouse'
A breakfast recipe shared by Clarence House has been a hit with the Royal Family for years - and it's a great way to start your day with a delicious and nutritious meal Have you ever wondered what the Royal Family actually eat? Many people might envision roasted pheasant, caviar, or elaborate feasts within Buckingham Palace. However, a recipe shared by Clarence House reveals that Royal dining isn't always so opulent or intricate. In fact, there's a straightforward dish favoured by King Charles that you can easily make in your own kitchen. The morning meal, known as 'Cheesy Baked Eggs', was made public in 2020 when our King was still the Prince of Wales. The team behind Clarence House's Instagram account claimed it could be made with an assortment of cheeses and just six additional ingredients, reports Surrey Live. "One thing that undoubtedly brings many of us great comfort is good food," the future King said during the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic. He continued: "It is, therefore, deeply troubling to learn that this crisis risks destroying one of the most wonderful joys in life – British cheese!" For those eager to try their hand at regal gastronomy, Clarence House recommends gathering these ingredients: One cherry tomato or sundried tomatoes Wilted spinach, 100g Soft cheese (for instance, Tunworth, Gold Cenarth or other strong soft cheese), 35g Hard grated cheese (for example, Old Winchester), 15g One egg Double cream, 80ml Torn basil leaves Optional: charcuterie/cold-cut meats Begin by greasing a small ovenproof dish, then line it with wilted spinach and either chopped fresh tomatoes or sundried tomatoes. Arrange these ingredients around the dish's perimeter, creating a 'small well' in the middle. Next, heap the soft cheese and shredded basil leaves on top of the tomato-spinach wall. At this point, you may also introduce some cold-cut meats, although this step is optional. Once the wall is constructed, crack a single egg into the centre of the well. Pour 80ml of double cream over the egg, and finish with a generous sprinkle of grated hard cheese. "Place in a hot oven (180C) for eight to 10 minutes," says Clarence House. "Let it stand for a few minutes before eating." Spinach shines as an outstandingly healthy component of this dish, boasting the title of a 'powerhouse' of nutrients with multiple health benefits. Helen Bell, a nutritionist at Help and Advice, has previously highlighted its benefits to the Express, saying: "Spinach is indeed known for its potential benefits in managing high blood pressure. It is rich in nitrates, which can help dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. "I have often recommended incorporating spinach into diets for individuals looking to manage their blood pressure naturally. Aside from this, spinach is a powerhouse of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. Its antioxidant properties make it beneficial for overall health and well-being." Research states that consuming spinach may be connected to a lower risk of cancer. A study conducted in 2007 revealed "some evidence that the risk of aggressive prostate cancer decreased with increasing spinach consumption". However, further studies are needed to confirm the benefits of spinach. Additionally, it's essential to consume cheesy baked eggs in moderation, as cheese, while rich in protein and calcium, is often high in salt and saturated fat, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, according to the British Heart Foundation. "You don't have to cut cheese out of your diet, but if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, use high-fat cheeses sparingly," the foundation advises. "A 30g portion of cheese provides seven per cent of your daily calories and there can be more salt in a portion of cheddar than in a packet of crisps." King Charles is not the only Royal fan of baked eggs. Queen Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles, also enjoys a similar recipe, which was a staple of his childhood. In his book, Cooking and The Crown, he wrote: "Baked eggs, also known as Oeufs en Cocotte, have long been a staple of the royal table, from Queen Victoria to the present day." He added: "This was also a favourite dish from my childhood, usually devoured when we returned home from our holidays, when the fridge and larder were bare. My mother would use eggs from our chickens." Tom's book 'Cooking and The Crown' boasts more than 100 recipes spanning from Queen Victoria's reign to King Charles III. It includes some lavish dishes like 'Pommes Elizabeth' and 'Pudding au Pain et aux Cerises', but also offers a variety of simpler recipes for home cooking.
