In 1995, Carole and Michael Middleton's fledgling business Party Pieces had begun to do so well they decided to sell their first married home on Cock Lane for £158,000 and buy a bigger property in the nearby hamlet of Chapel Row for £250,000. The large detached country house with five bedrooms was set in one-and-a-half-acres of land and was called Oak Acre. Discreetly hidden from view by trees, the house can only by accessed via a private road - a security measure that would serve the family in good stead in the years to come.
Kate chose a blue and cream colour scheme for her room and the family decided to have some of the walls knocked to create an open-plan feel. The move was an exciting one for the entire family who immediately fell in love with their nearest village of Bucklebury and the surrounding area - very similar to their previous home - just ten miles away.
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| Bucklebury Parish |
It was a time of change for Kate who moved from St Andrews School (she loved it so much she once said she should like to return to work there as a teacher) to the £22,000 per year all-girls school Downe House. Kate quickly made attempts to make friends and settle into her new school, but encountered a nasty clique of girls who made her time there very unhappy. Former pupil Emma Sayle recalled: "Downe House is a great school but it is a fighting school. She was bullied. It was a huge shock for Kate." After two terms, Mike and Carole moved Kate to Marlborough College where the young teenager was back in her element - making friends and excelling at sports. On weekends, Kate, Pippa and James would play tennis and go for long walks in the countryside.
Throughout the Cambridges' marriage, they have remained incredibly close to the Middletons and spent quite a lot of time in Bucklebury. On New Year's Eve 2011 the couple were photographed walking the family dogs in the peaceful countryside.
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| People UK/Princess Diana Remembered |
The Duke and Duchess chose to spend last Christmas with the Middletons following Kate's hospitalisation for acute morning sickness. It provided an opportunity for Kate to rest and recuperate whilst enjoying a private family Christmas. They attended the annual service at nearby St Mary's Church where they joined locals in singing traditional carols.
Last year, Carole and Mike Middleton made the decision to move from their five-bedroom 'Oak Acre' to a Georgian house known as 'Bucklebury Manor'. Previously owned by banker Morgan Stanley banker Justin Mason and his wife Jill, there was a bidding war for the much sought after property before the Middletons triumphed paying an estimated £4.7 million.
The Grade II listed house features seven bedrooms, five reception rooms, a swimming pool and a tennis court, all set in eighteen acres of land.
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| The Steeple Times |
The family kitchen.
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| The Steeple Times |
The gardens are simply beautiful.
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| Jill Mason Garden Design |
A lovely place to sit outside and enjoy the scenery.
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| Jill Mason Garden Design |
The day after the Cambridges left St Mary's hospital with their son they travelled to Bucklebury with a four car convoy and have remained their since. It shows how comfortable and at home William and Kate feel there and it's very telling that they want to share those precious first weeks with Kate's family. I'm of the opinion Mike and Carole purchased Bucklebury Manor partly for security and privacy reasons.
With 18 acres surrounding the house the family have plenty of room to enjoy country living and outdoor activities away from the public eye. Police protection around the property has been "described as a ring of steel". As William prepares to return to Anglesey to resume work as a search and rescue pilot, Kate is expected to remain in Bucklebury with the support of her family around her.
Source: http://hrhduchesskate.blogspot.hk/2013/08/kate-loves-bucklebury.html
