New Church Farm home hits the right note for Christine

Musician and teacher Christine Garratt, made a careful choice of new home. She wanted somewhere to match her minimalist and consciously eco-friendly lifestyle. In this sponsored report with our partner Pye Homes, we explain how its Church Farm development in Radley held the answer.

Christine Garrett is an active professional orchestral player with many of the UK’s leading period instrument ensembles and has maintained a successful portfolio of teaching for over 30 years.

She seeks to live as eco-consciously as she can; she is a vegetarian, a fan of minimalist living and is passionate about nature and the environment. This piqued her interest in Pye Homes’ development at Church Farm, Radley, a scheme centred around eco-credentials.

Buying the property was, she says, a positive turning point in her life. After years of renting, she felt the purchase offered her a new chapter and helped maintain a work/life balance. She configured the downstairs living room as a music room, big enough to host her students and even their families who want to watch them play.

The village location was also a positive. Christine said: “I love the fresh air and the minimal light pollution the area is home to. I was brought up in the north of England with a deep respect for nature, the countryside and rural life, and have enjoyed living car-free for 21 years. My conscious choice to buy an eco-home was the next logical step.”

The car-free life made Church Farm a perfect choice, since it offers excellent transport links. She is able to travel to work in Oxford, London and elsewhere with ease. Walking, cycling and public transport are all made easy.

As a nod to her northern roots and childhood, Christine had a sign made for her new home from Cumbrian Honister slate – an area in which she spent much of her early years.

Christine has chosen the stepping stones which lead from the house to her new shed, through her large new garden, but she admits she is yet to decide how best to enjoy the space.

Church Farm, Radley, was created by Pye Homes with sustainability in mind. It’s a community built in partnership with Blenheim Estate and Radley College and showcases the best design and landscape principles while championing a greener way of life.

Church Farm will deliver 240 homes with community areas and natural green spaces for public gatherings or casual meet ups. There will be a playground and even a community orchard.

Liveability is at the core of the designs for the community. Pye Homes has paired traditional materials with contemporary design, alongside many innovative features, to ensure homes are adaptable for all.

The location is an eight-minute walk from Radley village centre, home to a primary school, community shop, village hall and a traditional country pub. The Hanson Way cycle route, a scenic journey between Oxford and Didcot, runs directly through the village.

Radley train station is just as close and provides a direct route to Oxford in eight minutes while London Paddington can be reached in just 57 minutes via Didcot Parkway. The A34 can be reached in 14 minutes by car and provides access to the rest of the South East.

Prices at Church Farm start from £425,000 for a three-bedroom home and there is a new phase of homes, coming soon.

www.pyehomes.co.uk/developments/church-farm/