HERITAGE WITHOUT THE HASSLE AT WESTON HOMES’ GUN HILL PARK, ALDERSHOT

The £60 million (GDV) Hampshire development Gun Hill Park in Aldershot, by Weston Homes is more than a residential development; it’s an ode to the timeless allure of heritage homes and the Grade II Listed Cambridge Military Hospital that came before it. The allure of a heritage home without the hassle has proved popular with buyers resulting in over 65% sales success at the development so far.

Weston Homes’ commitment to preserving history while offering modern conveniences is showcased in every aspect of Gun Hill Park which now provides 140 luxurious houses and apartments, converted and new build, with private gardens and set in landscaped grounds.

Of palatial proportions and with a landmark clocktower, Cambridge Military Hospital was opened in 1879 and built on Florence Nightingale’s design principles, its grand rooms, long, wide corridors and tall, elegant windows delivering air, light and constant temperature. It was world-renowned, received injured soldiers from the Western Front and was much-visited by royalty. A centre of national excellence, it went on to become a forerunner for plastic surgery.

In 2019 Weston Homes bought the site and, with impressive architectural vision and a small army of stonemasons and expert builders, set about the conversion project, creating new homes both within the hospital – retaining as many original features as possible – and including some new-build properties in the landscaped grounds. Unlike traditional heritage properties, Gun Hill Park has been carefully designed to eliminate the hassles and uncertainties that often come with historic preservation. It provides residents with an opportunity to experience the charm of heritage living without the complexities of restoration and maintenance.

Combining distinguished historic character with modern interior finishes, the homes at Gun Hill Park offer a premium specification to provide a unique blend of old and new. The majority of homes are unique and have high ceilings, some boast open plan layouts and original features. There are neutral colour palettes throughout the homes, with contemporary linear kitchens enjoying a full range of integrated appliances and highly specified bathrooms featuring quality brands. Designed to offer ease of maintenance and running efficiency, the properties at Gun Hill Park provide a fully comprehensive specification to enable buyers to start enjoying their new lifestyle from the moment they move in. With Hyperoptic superfast broadband to each property, Gun Hill Park is perfectly placed to remain fully connected, whilst enjoying the tranquillity of being away from it all set in grounds full of history.

Debbie and Martin Vowles recently purchased a home at Gun Hill Park and the heritage of the site is of personal significance to them as their daughter Lesley was born in the formerCambridge Military Hospital 34 years ago.  At the time of Debbie and Martin’s daughters’ birth, the hospital provided maternity services for the surrounding community, including the nearby market town of Farnham where Debbie and Martin were living.  

It was the remarkable heritage features that stole Debbie’s heart. The entire front of their new home has an almost heraldic romance about it. It has two loggias –  long and wide balconies of golden stone stacked one on top of the other, each held up by four pillars. The bottom balcony, now enclosed, forms the  roomy entrance hall of the couple’s home, leading on to their two ground-floor en suite bedrooms. Upstairs, the drawing room has double doors opening to the second, picturesque balcony and magnificent views beyond.

When they saw the house that would become their new home, cleverly carved from one of the former hospital wards, they decided it was “the one”.  Martin says: “This home ticked all the boxes. We wanted a smaller house so we could lock up and go travelling, a garden, separate kitchen, a balcony and a view.”

Debbie said “It appealed to me immediately. There was so much grandeur. We loved the quality of everything on offer, and the area, too, but most of all it was a perfect commute to London.”

Most apartments at Gun Hill Park feature open plan kitchen and living areas, providing a central hub for relaxing and entertaining, with nearly all apartments featuring a private terrace or balcony.  Kitchens are equipped with an integrated fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher, energy saving ceramic hob, stainless steel sink, tap with integrated instant boiling and cold filtered water facility and neat integrated soap dispenser. The bathrooms have walk-in Fascino smart showers or bathtubs, heated towel rails, integrated vanity storage, a bespoke mirror with additional storage and demist feature. At Gun Hill Park buyers have the choice of quartz stone kitchen worktops and a wide range of designer Oakwood Kitchen units as well as flooring, bathroom cabinetry and tiling (subject to the stage of construction). All of this is unique in a development with so much history providing buyers with a hassle-free home and lifestyle surrounded by heritage charm.

Homes at Gun Hill Park start from £287,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, £499,995 for a two-bedroom apartment and £395,000 for a three-bedroom apartment. Houses are priced from £490,000 for a three-bedroom property and £565,000 for a four-bedroom property. For further information on Gun Hill Park contact Weston Homes contact Tel: +44 (0)1252 957 843 or visit: www.weston-homes.com/gun-hill-park