Property description

Pangbourne centre and railway station 15 minutes` walk (fast trains to London Paddington 47 minutes). Easy access Reading (6 miles) and Oxford by rail & road. M4 junction 12: 6 miles. Heathrow 45 minutes by car. (Distances/ timings are approximate).

7,665 sq ft / 267 m² Gardens & Grounds 1.1 acres / 0.4 hectares
(all measurements are approximate)

Swanston House is a splendid 8 bedroom period village house dating back to the 17th century.

This property benefits from delightful landscaped gardens and is situated in an enviable position in the heart of Whitchurch-on-Thames.

Set in a conservation area and valuably unlisted.

A handsome country house of enormous character. The interior is beautifully presented with elegantly proportioned rooms, high ceilings and a magnificent 43ft drawing room. Swanston House is a fine example of Period English architecture.

Swanston House is attached to a significantly smaller period property

Special features

? Beautifully landscaped gardens
? Fine drawing room with wonderful oak panelling, original oak flooring, two very fine fireplaces with extravagant marquetry work of the period. The wonderful plasterwork moulded ceiling is enriched by low relief of cut leaves and vines and a moulded and decorated panelled frieze
? Rich Cuban Mahogany panelled doors in reception hall
? Dining room with fine open fireplace in carved stone
? Bespoke luxury kitchen by Griggs & McKay, highly regarded top-quality craftsmen
? Large kitchen/breakfast room beautifully fitted with extensive range of bespoke oak cupboards and drawer units, granite work surfaces, Miele dishwashers and inset porcelain twin sinks. Modern 4 oven gas AGA, built in fridge/freezer, integrated Miele coffee machine. Granite topped central island with Miele combination oven, 2 ring gas hob and inset porcelain sink unit.
? Bow fronted full length oak panelled doors allowing access to pantry
? Kitchen flooring is Oxfordshire flagstone with some interesting examples of prehistoric fossils
? Large reception hall, wide gracious staircase with carved oak newel posts, hand rail and barley twist balustrade to first floor landing,
? Walled and electrically operated gated entrance with intercom and remote control
? Substantial triple garage block in classic Arts & Crafts style

Summary of accommodation:
Ground floor: Entrance porch, reception hall, cloakroom, drawing room, sitting room, conservatory, dining room, family room with bespoke fitted oak office area, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room/second kitchen.

First floor: 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms to include 2 ensuite, dressing room to bedroom 1.

Second floor: Bedroom 8, playroom/possible study.

Large detached triple garage block with tiled floor, power, lighting and up and over oak panelled doors. Large forecourt for parking for a large number of cars and cobbled hard standing for a further 2 cars.

Gardens and grounds:
Splendid gardens, beautifully landscaped with a number of mature specimen trees and excellent examples of topiary, York stone paving & Yew hedges. Grapevine and greenhouse adjacent to potting shed. Sweeping lawns run alongside well stocked herbaceous borders and shrubberies. Yew archways lead to a secret garden with flower beds; and a further archway leads to an area which could be used as a vegetable garden. There is a well-equipped children`s play area. The gardens enjoy a southerly aspect.

The large York stone terrace is a perfect setting for summer entertaining with direct access from drawing room, loggia, dining room, family room and kitchen/breakfast room.

The pool area has undergone extensive refurbishment including installation of a new pool liner. For children`s safety the pool area is protected by an attractive wrought iron fence and lockable gate. There is a timber building housing the filtration plant & boiler for the heated pool and Crane octagonal summer house.

Aligned with the Georgian dining room, is a formal garden with brick laid path to an ancient Sundial and pretty box hedging and topiary.

The garden and grounds are a particular feature of the property extending to 1.1 acres / 0.4 hectares.

History:
The original house and site was recorded in 1626 as `Swanston` and later changed to Swanston House in 1854. It is rare to find a house of such excellent proportions within the heart of one of the most notable and famous Thames-side villages. Designed and constructed for large family use within a period where large scale entertaining was an everyday occurrence.

Swanston must surely be one of the earliest house names recorded in Whitchurch. The County Records Office copy of a ‘Survey of Whitchurch in 1626` has particular interest for Swanston. At that time a Peter Holmes owned the house and orchard.

In 1854 Swanston House was sold to one of its best known owners, Sir John Forbes, Chief Physician to the Royal Household. Sir John Forbes was later chronicled to have corresponded regularly with Florence Nightingale.

Swanston House was sold to Frank Loughborough Pearson in 1905, by the then owner Mrs Thomas. Frank Pearson was an Architect of distinction. He came to Whitchurch fresh from completing his triumphal rejuvenation of Hever Castle, Kent (owned by the Astors). His father designed and built Truro Cathedral. Frank Pearson immediately saw the potential of Swanston House ‘the best site in the village`. Between 1908 and 1910 he entirely remodelled Swanston House in the Arts & Crafts style, maximising the southerly aspect and distant views. In 1938 the house was sold to Lord Borthwick (Borthwick`s Baking Powder) who later sold the property in 1955.

Local facilities:
Whitchurch and Pangbourne are divided by the River Thames, spanned by Whitchurch toll bridge. The local area offers a wealth of leisure and sporting facilities which include Adventure Dolphin Centre, Thames Path, Basildon Park (National Trust House & Gardens) and Child Beale Trust Wildlife & Conservation Park.

Whitchurch boasts 2 character Public Houses, The Greyhound and Ferryboat Inn. Gastro Pubs and fine dining Restaurants are within easy driving distance.

Waitrose can be found at Tilehurst (approx. 4 miles) and Wallingford

Pangbourne offers superb transport links and will benefit from Crossrail

Schools:
Whitchurch-on-Thames is located within easy reach of a number of independent schools; Pangbourne College, Bradfield College and St Andrew`s Preparatory School are within easy driving distance, as are The Oratory, Downe House, Cranford House and Moulsford Preparatory School. The property is in the catchment area of Langtree Secondary School at Woodcote, and Whitchurch Primary School itself has an outstanding record.

Directions:
From the offices of Dudley Singleton & Daughter, turn left and immediately left at the mini roundabout. At the George Hotel turn left, and continue over the River Thames and the toll bridge into Whitchurch-on-Thames, passing The Ferry Boat and The Greyhound.
The entrance to Swanston House will be found on the right hand side, between high red brick walls (signposted Swanston House and Swanston West). Bear to the right and park up in the sweeping, large gravelled forecourt of Swanston House (behind electronic gates).

Tenure: Freehold

Services: Mains electricity, gas, water and drainage. Gas fired central heating

Post Code: RG8 7ER

Local Authority and Council Tax Band: South Oxfordshire, Tax Band H

Viewing by arrangement with vendor`s agent, Dudley Singleton & Daughter, No. 1 Station Road, Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8 7AN.
Tel: 0118 984 2662

Websites: www.singletonanddaughter.co.uk, www.rightmove.co.uk, www.mayfairoffice.co.uk, www.onthemarket.com, www.countrylife.co.uk
E-mail: info@singletonanddaughter.co.uk
London Office: Cashel House, 15 Thayer Street, London, W1.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Dudley Singleton & Daughter for themselves and for the vendors of this property, whose agents they are, give notice that:
1. The particulars are intended to give a fair and substantially correct overall description for the guidance of intending purchasers, and do not constitute part of an offer or contract. No responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of individual items. We relied upon our own brief inspection and information supplied to us by the vendors. (i) The description, including photographs of the property and its contents, are intended to be a guide only rather than a detailed and accurate report and inventory. (ii) Floor plans, measurements, areas and distances are intended to be approximately only. (iii) Prospective purchasers are strongly advised to check measurements. The position of bathroom fittings as shown on the plan is indicative only – sizes, shapes and the exact locations may differ. Wall thicknesses, together with window and door sizes are approximate only and window and door openings are shown without frame details. (iv) Photographs are not necessarily comprehensive or current and no assumption should be made that any contents shown in them are included in the sale.
2. All descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permission for use and occupation and other details are given in good faith, and are believed to be correct, but any intending purchasers should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them:
3. No person in the employment of Dudley Singleton & Daughter has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property or these particulars, nor to enter into any contract relating to the property on behalf of the Vendor.
4. No responsibility can be accepted for any expenses incurred by intending purchasers

Notice
Please note we have not tested any apparatus, fixtures, fittings, or services. Interested parties must undertake their own investigation into the working order of these items. All measurements are approximate and photographs provided for guidance only.

Property Features :

• 8 bedroom period village house
• Walk to Pangbourne shops and station
• 7,665 sq ft / 267 m² with detached triple garage block and parking for a large number of cars
• Beautiful secluded gardens and grounds of 1.1 acres
• Magnificent 43ft drawing room
• A fine example of Period English architecture.
• Wonderful oak panelling, original oak flooring, fine fireplaces with extravagant marquetry
• Rare to find a house with such excellent proportions within the heart Whitchurch On Thames