TENTELOW GARDENS - Anthony James Manser

TENTELOW GARDENSNORWOOD GREEN, MIDDLESEXOn the edge of open fields, with a quaint village green and mature parkland onthe doorstep, it is incredible to think that Norwood Green is just ten miles fromcentral London. Nestling within the Borough of Ealing, with the vibrant communityof Southall nearby, Norwood Green combines rural tranquillity with urbanconvenience to offer the ultimate in modern living.Nicholas KingDEVELOPMENTSNicholas King treat each of its clients as anindividual, tailoring the home buying processto make life as easy and stress free as possible.Initiatives include landscaping the development,fitting TV aerials as standard, as well as on the dayof moving, providing the services of a handyman tofit curtain tracks, shelves and hang pictures.For assistance, the company provides a 24-hourhelpline. Any issues are dealt with quickly, with‘no-fuss’ compensation offered automatically should anyappointment be missed. Quality control questionnairesand a comprehensive support infrastructure ensurethat dealing with Nicholas King Developments is anenjoyable experience.Nicholas King Developments was founded on the beliefthat the closest attention to the smallest detail, in design,construction and customer service, is the only route toexcellence. This requires energy and a real commitmentto be carried forward consistently. The company’sgrowth and its demonstrable success at winning highlevels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well asawards for design, innovation and construction, showthat the formula is working.Originally known as Norwood, the villagegrew up around St Mary’s church, whichoriginated in Norman times and wasrebuilt in the mid-14th century (thatwas when the Plough Inn – next door toTentelow Gardens – was established toserve labourers working on the project).Several handsome villas were built herein the late 18th and early 19th centuries,the finest survivor of which is Sir JohnSoane’s Norwood Hall, which is now theKhalsa primary school. Just across thefields, Osterley Park is the magnificent18th-century neoclassical villa, nowowned by the National Trust, whose 140acres of landscaped park and farmlandgives the area its rural feel.Despite its history – the village datesback to 832 – Norwood Green and itsenvirons boast a wide range of modernamenities. Apart from the Plough Inn,there are a number of friendly localhostelries, various local stores and a smallsupermarket to provide for day-to-dayessentials, while the annual Fete in Julydraws visitors from far and wide.For more cosmopolitan attractions,Southall’s local markets are full ofcolourful fabrics and wonderful aromasfrom food stalls selling samosas, Indiansweets and other delightful delicacies.Often referred to as Little India, withits strong Indian and Pakistani roots aswell as a mix of other diverse culturesand ethnicities, it is a real hub of activity,particularly around late October forDiwali. From Southall Overground (zone 4)Station you can be in Ealing Broadway insix minutes, where you’ll find high streetshopping, theatre and cinema and awealth of gastronomic opportunities. Inaddition, you’re not far from Chiswickor Richmond, while Westfield ShoppingCentre offers all the designer shoppingyou could hope for.Leisure facilities abound with a widerange of sports on offer at OsterleySports Centre and the Cricket Club nextdoor, while Airlinks Golf and Country Cluboffers a challenging 18 holes. And whileOsterley Park’s lush gardens, ornamentallakes, pleasure grounds and neoclassicalgarden buildings are well-worth exploringon a relaxing Sunday afternoon, theGrand Union Canal is just one of the otheropportunities for walkers, joggers andcyclists.Osterley Park is the closest Undergroundstation (a 30 minute walk), with trainsto Heathrow taking 20 minutes andcentral London just 36 minutes. Or youcan walk to Norwood Green and catcha bus to Hounslow station, which is onlyslightly further out on the Piccadilly Line.Alternatively, a bus to Southall station willhave you in Paddington in 18 minutes. TheA40 Western Ave just north of TentelowGardens, and the A4 to south, are nearesteast-west trunk roads, while the M4 canbe accessed at Junction 2 for centralLondon and Junction 3 for Heathrow andBristol. Expect to take 25 minutes for the5.8 mile journey.www.nkhomes.com