Property description

A character modern country house situated in one of the most sought-after lanes un Upper Basildon.
Approx 7 acres. Stables, barn, vegetable garden, pretty gardens.

A very pretty character modern country house situated in one of the most sought-after villages in the area on high ground, entered from Gardeners Lane which has to be one of the very special little used lanes within Upper Basildon. This is a sleepy, idyllic rural location and, yet, only a short distance from the village green, walking distance of the village pub, church and highly recommended village school. The property is substantially constructed of old stock red clay brick under a clay tiled roof, with sweeping entrance drive leading round well maintained lawns giving access for pedestrians and also to the detached double garage block.

This is an excellent equestrian property with approximately 7 acres of post and railed paddocks, water laid on, presently divided into four, with a good quality stable block and yard with electricity and water. The present owners have loved the house for 23 years and they bought the house from new. This is an archetypal English country house.

Special Features: Complete seclusion and privacy. * The views are tremendous over lightly wooded farmland rising in the distance. * The interior of the house is in excellent order. * This is a very good family house, spacious and light.

* There is a large reception hall with staircase winding to the galleried landing. * An excellent study fitted with bookshelves. * Drawing room with magnificent brick fireplace, brick hearth and ancient Bessemer beam running across, and fitted with a Jetmaster open log burning stove with hood. Sliding doors give access directly onto the gardens. * There is a family room or television room. * Dining room in quite a large area which leads directly into the kitchen, creating a stunning kitchen/living room with 4-oven oil-fired Aga at one end and a very attractive hand painted range of high and low level cupboard and drawer units with porcelain butler`s sink and granite work surfaces purpose built by Griggs Mackay of Caversham. This is a proper farmhouse kitchen where all the family can congregate and becomes the hub of the house. * The terrace at the rear with its crazy paved York stone is slightly raised above the level gardens is a natural sun trap and enjoys the westerly sun for evening dining. * The sweeping lawns are level - an excellent croquet lawn perhaps. * There several garden stores. * All windows are primary double glazed.

Gardens & Grounds: There are stunning formal gardens, York stone paved raised terrace, well maintained lawns and shrubberies, as is with the rest of the property - all completely private. There is a well maintained vegetable garden, post and railed and wired to make sure the rabbits cannot enjoy the fruits of your labour. The right hand side of the garden is protected by a high red brick and flint wall which runs the length of the formal gardens. There is a greenhouse concealed toward the end of the formal gardens and a 5-bar gate gives access to the orchard area, which also holds the duck pond.

This area is secured to the boundaries by post and rail and wire fencing, so for children and dogs it does not allow free access to the remainder of the paddocks, duck pond and vegetable garden, etc. The whole of the main part to the front and formal gardens to the rear are dog secure. A further 5-bar gate leaves the orchard area. There is plenty of room just to the front of the stable block for a menage if required. The paddocks and gardens are level and enjoy the south westerly sun all day. The paddocks have been well maintained and are in good heart, as is the stable block. There is access by way of a 5-bar gate from Gardeners Lane to this area for horse boxes, tractors, etc for maintenance of the paddocks.

The stable block is divided into 4 loose boxes and a large feed store/hay and straw storage area to one end. There is also a secure tack room. The extended overhang to all the loose boxes gives protection from sun and rain, and is fitted with electric light, there is a good water trough to one end of the concrete yard which is spacious, all the paddocks have 5-bar gate access and are sheep wired ring fenced.


Local Facilities: Only a few minutes driving distance from Pangbourne with its excellent shopping facilities and mainline station giving an intercity fast train connection to London Paddington. Just up the road from the property are the village church and green and The Red Lion public house and restaurant. There is also an excellent village hall with all sorts of events during the course of the year including a regular farmers` market, next to the village hall are tennis courts and there is an excellent tennis club, an amateur dramatic society and a cricket club. Upper Basildon has a very successful health centre, The Orchard Clinic, offering a full range of treatments.

There is a wonderful sporting complex open to public membership at Bradfield College with indoor tennis courts, squash, indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, etc. It is also understood that the 9-hole golf course which is also owned by Bradfield College is still open to public membership. In Upper Basildon and in Bradfield there are riding schools for the equestrian enthusiast with lots of bridle paths and a riding school and livery yard. There are plenty of golf clubs - Calcot, Streatley, Mapledurham, Badgemore. The Royal Berkshire Shooting School is within easy driving distance.

The M4 Junction 12 at Theale is approximately 6 miles connecting to Heathrow and London. Reading is approximately 8 miles. There is a Sainsbury`s Savacentre at Calcot for those major food shopping expeditions and a fine Waitrose at Tilehurst. Fielders Farm Shop owned by Jo Fielder will be found at Theale.


Schools: There are plenty of schools in the area. Upper Basildon C of E Primary School is within walking distance which has an excellent reputation, Theale Green School has a bus service for pick up and drop off in Pangbourne, St Andrew`s Preparatory School is only a few minutes driving distance, as are Pangbourne College and Bradfield College. There is also The Oratory School, St Finians, Cranford House, Moulsford Boys School, Downe House, all within easy driving distance.




SUMMARY OF ACCOMMODATION: Reception hall, drawing room, family/television room, study, dining room part of the kitchen/living room, large pantry store, cloakroom, boiler cupboard, utility room. First floor: Landing, 4 main bedrooms 5th bedroom with walk-through access from bedroom 4, en suite shower to bedroom 4, family bathroom, en suite shower room to master bedroom. Outside: Detached double garage block, 3 timber constructed garden stores, aluminium framed greenhouse, stable block.

Gardens & Grounds: Extending to approximately 6.919 acres / 2.800 ha.


DIRECTIONS: From the offices of Singleton & Daughter turn left, cross over the mini roundabout past The Elephant Hotel, turn first right at St James the Less Church. Proceed up Pangbourne Hill, passing the entrance to Pangbourne College on the left, turn right signposted for Upper Basildon. Proceed along this lane passing the modern church and village green on your right, turn first left - this is Gardeners Lane. The property will be found on the right hand side opposite the Road Narrows sign.



SERVICES:Mains water, electricity & drainage. Oil-fired central heating.

POST CODE:RG8 8NL

LOCAL AUTHORITY:West Berkshire Council. Tel: 01635 42400.

Council Tax: Band G. 2013/14: £2,517.68



Viewing by arrangement with vendor`s agent,

Dudley Singleton & Daughter,
No. 1 Station Road,
Pangbourne,
Berkshire,
RG8 7AN. Tel: 0118 984 2662.
Fax: 0118 984 5490.

Email: London Office:
Cashel House,
15 Thayer Street,
London, W1

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 :

• Idyllic rural location
• Approx 7 Acres
• Five bedrooms
• Large kitchen/living room
• Views over farmland
• Quality stable block
• Double garage
• West facing gardens