AREA GUIDES
There’s nothing I like more than poking around somewhere new, even if that’s only via my desktop. Now I think about it, area guides have got to be some of my favourite jobs. They are not only fantastic at boosting your website’s SEO, they are also a great way of highlighting the benefits of living in a particular area. The best ones therefore inform and sell in equal measures. They should give readers a real feel for the area and, at the same time, highlight what is most relevant and important. If it’s a place that’s popular with families, for example, that means incorporating lots of information about schools and colleges, parks and activity centres. If it’s a commuter town, you need to bring transport links to the fore.
I have written area guides for many different parts of the UK, but below is an example from Jennett’s Park, Berkshire.
SAMPLE AREA GUIDE: JENNETT'S PARK
Jennett’s Park is a relatively new development of around 2,000 homes, built on the edges of the wonderful Peacock Meadows. In the heart of Royal Berkshire, it’s just 1.5 miles southwest of Bracknell town centre and 3 miles southeast of Wokingham. It was built by a consortium of Persimmon and Redrow Homes, who began its construction back in 2007. Despite its youth, it lies on far older ground. In the fifteenth century, it was part of the Norrey’s Manor Estate. In 1665, as a result of marriage, its ownership then passed onto John Peacock from whom the meadows took their name. By the 1960s, the development area was occupied by a variety of tenant farmers. It wasn’t until 2005 that the land was sold to Persimmon and Redrow Homes and Jennett’s Park’s story began.
The development and its amenities
Jennett’s Park consists of a mixture of large detached homes, elegant townhouses and stylish apartments. A great deal of time and effort has gone into its aesthetics and there is attractive landscaping throughout, as well as a number of pieces of artwork on public display. For somewhere so new, it boasts an impressive array of facilities – from its C of E Primary School, Community Centre, Peacock Farm – a pub/restaurant in a converted grade II listed farmhouse - and a Co-Op convenience store. And, not forgetting, Peacock Meadow’s 36 hectares of grassland, meadows and woodland. Bracknell’s close proximity means, should you wish, there are plenty of other shops, bars and restaurants to choose from. In addition, Bracknell has multiple sports and leisure facilities, schools and a hospital. Ascot Race Course and Windsor Castle are only a short drive away and there is a university in Reading.
The area also benefits from excellent transport links - the A329(M) is just minutes away and provides swift and easy access to the nearby M4, as well as the M3 (which is only a little further in the opposite direction). From Bracknell, the train will take you straight to Waterloo in just over an hour. When all this is combined with Jennett’s Park’s extensive open spaces and strong community spirit, it’s no surprise to find it’s hugely popular with both families and commuters alike. And, to make life even easier, if you are heading into town, you can drop your kids off at the children’s Breakfast Club beforehand, which is conveniently based at Jennett’s Park primary school.
Jennett's Park CE Primary School
Jennett's Park Community Association
Property in Jennett’s Park
The houses and apartments are all modern in design and are built to the highest standards by some of the country’s most respected developers. Jennett’s Park’s mix of detached homes, townhouses and apartments ensures there is something for every budget. 4 to 5-bedroom houses typically start from around £600,000. 3-bedroom townhouses range between £380,000 to £420,000 and a 2-bedroom apartment will be somewhere in the region of £270,000.