Property description
In an idyllic location high up on the Berkshire Downs, a superb period house with spectacular views. Drawing room, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, utility cloakroom. Five bedrooms (1 en-suite), family bathroom. Double garage, log/tool store, field shelter. Gardens and paddocks, about 1.5 acres. EPC rating E.
LOCAL INFORMATION Stunningly situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the rolling Berkshire Downs, Starveall Cottage lies on the edge of the ancient Ridgeway path which follows the chalk ridge route used by Prehistoric man. The route past the property was named in Country Life as one of the Best Walks in Britain. With just one other house for company, the property lies in splendid isolation surrounded by farmland owned by Yattendon Estate The pretty village of Aldworth is one mile distant and has a renowned village pub, The Bell Inn, and a local Saturday shop. The village Church of St Marys contains stone effigies of the De La Beche family, known as the Aldworth Giants, depicting 14th Century knights, all over 7ft tall. Local shops and amenities can be found in nearby Goring-on-Thames (4 miles) and Pangbourne (6 miles) with both having mainline stations to London, Paddington (Reading from 29 minutes) with Crossrail allowing direct access to the City, Canary Wharf, the West End and Heathrow from 2019. The M4 Motorway at Theale (J12 10 miles) is within easy reach as is the A34 to Oxford and the West Country (6 miles). There are a number of excellent schools in the area including Pangbourne and Bradfield Colleges, The Oratory, Cranford House and Moulsford Preparatory School. There are miles of superb walking and riding directly from the house on the many footpaths and bridleways and on the Ridgeway path which continues all the way to Avebury in Wiltshire.
ACCOMMODATION Believed to have origins in the 17th Century, Starveall Cottage is beautifully presented with superb views over glorious countryside from every room in the house. On the market for the first time in nearly 30 years, the well-proportioned accommodation is full of character with exposed beams, inglenook fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, polished floors and with many windows, creating a light and airy atmosphere.
Built of old brick with exposed timbers and with pretty dormer windows, the house has a large gravelled parking area. Steps lead to the porch with flagstone floor and leads to the reception hall with exposed timbers and brick walls and an oak staircase. The drawing room is a lovely double aspect room with views over the gardens and there is an inglenook fireplace with wood burning stove. There is a sitting with an inglenook fireplace and there is a stable door to the garden. The kitchen/breakfast room has a tiled floor, built-in window seat to the bay window, black Aga cooker, and a range of wall and floor units. There is a utility cloakroom with plumbing for washing machine. The conservatory has spectacular views over the rolling countryside and there are doors to the terrace and garden.
Upstairs the master bedroom is a very pretty, double aspect room with a vaulted ceiling, glorious views across the Downs and with an en-suite bathroom. There are four further bedrooms, three doubles and one single, and a family bathroom.
OUTSIDE The gardens of Starveall Cottage are beautifully maintained with sweeping areas of lawn and specimen trees including Pine, Horse Chestnut, native Hawthorn and Cherry. A sandstone terrace surrounds the back of the house and is a perfect place for entertaining with superb Southerly and Westerly views and extraordinary sunsets. There is a double garage and a brick log/tool store to one side of the gravel drive. A pair of 5-bar gates secures the property from the lane. Three further gates lead to the gardens and paddocks allowing access for a horse box or tractor and there is a two-bay field shelter. Part of the paddock by the lane is currently managed as a wildflower meadow with cowslips and wild orchids. The whole amounts to just over 1.5 acres. On the rear elevation of the cottage is an old bell which was rung out to call in the shepherds tending their flocks on the fields. Starveall is a local term for an area where the chalk land favoured grazing rather than crops.
LOCAL AUTHORITY and SERVICES West Berkshire District Council, 01635 42400. Mains water and electricity. Oil fired central heating, LPG for the Aga. Private drainage.
CONVEYANCING Through our in-house Conveyancing team, we can ensure ease and efficiency for a competitive, no-sale, no-fee quote. Visit www.davistate-conveyancing.co.uk for a quote today.
MORTGAGES Whether you're a first time buyer or a current home owner; Davis Tate can provide you with access to Mortgage Advisors who can assist with professional advice.
Davis Tate Ltd is an introducer appointed representative of First Complete Ltd for purpose of the provision of advice in relation to mortgage and non investment insurance products. Mortgage and Protection advice is provided by LSLi Ltd t/a Embrace Mortgage Services, an appointed representative of First Complete Ltd. First Complete Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
LSLi Ltd t/a Embrace Mortgage Services charge a fee of between £399 and £699 on application. The amount we will charge is dependent on the amount of research and administration that is required.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
DISCLAIMER These particulars are a general guide only. They do not form part of any contract. Services, systems and appliances have not been tested.
Property Features :
- Country and Riverside
- Spectacular views
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Double garage
- Gardens, paddocks about 1.5 acres
Property Info: