A three-bedroom ground floor apartment with garden and garage. The property is located on a purpose-built retirement development for the over 55s. Management services are provided by Cognatum Estates, a not-for-profit organisation and one of the UK's leading companies in retirement housing. Tanning has a long tradition in Downton, and Church Leat is built on the site of the old village tannery, surrounded by the River Avon and water meadows and sitting just below the Grade-I-listed St Laurence’s church. Water is integral to the character of the estate, with some properties actually built over the mill stream, a carrier of the river Avon. All the cottages have a balcony or a conservatory to make the most of the delightful setting, and some even have both. A footbridge over the river Avon leads into Downton, which is a large village with a good range of shops including a baker, supermarket, post office, several pubs and a library. The village is well-known for its fishing and for an award-winning local brewery, and a sports centre, horticultural society, bridge club, choir, and spots for tennis, bowls and cricket, all ensure plenty of activities to choose from. The beauty of the New Forest National Park is only a few miles away, and the city of Salisbury with its cathedral, excellent shops and many cultural facilities is only slightly further afield. If you are keen for a little sea air, both the seaside towns of Poole and Bournemouth are less than an hour's drive. Cognatum Estates maintains, repairs and insures all the buildings, arranges the window cleaning and refuse collection and tends to the gardens and grounds thereby freeing owners and residents from these responsibilities. There is a personal alarm system in each property and resident estate managers are available to provide support and a helping hand when needed.  The cost of providing these services is shared equally between all properties. There are no restrictions on owning a property except that one resident must be over 55 years of age. 999 year lease (from 1984). No ground rent. Please Note: Upon resale of the property, Cognatum Estates management company charge 1% of sale price plus VAT for the leasehold pack, payable by the vendor. For viewings please contact the Estate Manager 01725 514795 / 07384 113413 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)