Property description

A fabulous character country house constructed in the 18th c with some substantial later additions, set amidst countryside known for its outstanding beauty, surrounded by Bucklebury Common in a very private, sleepy and secluded location well away from any busy roads. This is a stunning, spacious, light family house with, in general, high ceilings and fine proportioned rooms, the restoration subtly and tastefully combining the best of both 18th and 21st centuries.

The property, as a whole, retains its period charm with fine examples of natural oak joinery throughout , stone flagged floor to kitchen. The front has an open aspect over mainly pastureland. This property could as easily and comfortably accommodate a large family, as a couple with grounds easily maintained if the owners are away.

Special features: The kitchen is large with a new style Aga combining the traditional 2-oven, 2 cooking plate oil fired Aga with the addition of a 2-oven electric and propane gas hob companion unit with the convenient option of enabling winter or summer use. Fabulous range of birds`s eye maple cupboard and drawer units and dresser with deep, highly polished, granite work surfaces. * A large, dry wine cellar. * Period original log fires. * The large master bedroom suite is fabulous with vaulted ceiling, balcony, fine views, shower room with double steam and shower unit, dressing room and adjacent study.

Local facilities:

Eating out: This area is known for fine restaurants and period pubs – just down the road is The Bladebone pub with an excellent restaurant, there is also a good tea room serving a fine range of cakes and sandwichs. There is a general store at Upper Bucklebury and a Post Office and general store at Southend Bradfield, both within a few minutes drive. Stanford Dingley is a short distance by car with a 15th century pub, The Bull – try your hand at ringing the bull, an ancient bar game, or eat in their restaurant, or even perhaps wander beside the River Pang to the blue pools, the old Roman watercress beds, where monster trout dreamily weave their way through the sparkling clear water. Also round the corner is the Royal Oak at Yattendon, an internationally known country house hotel and fine restaurant, and 15 minutes will take you to the River Thames and Thameside restaurants of The Boathouse, The Beetle & Wedge at Moulsford or for further fine dining, Rossini at The Leatherne Bottel at North Stoke serving superb, authentic Italian cuisine.

Schools abound within easy driving distance to include Cranford House, Moulsford Preparatory School for Boys, Pangbourne College, Bradfield College, The Oratory School, Downe House and St Andrew`s Preparatory School, Brockhurst & Marlston House Preparatory School & Elstree Preparatory School.

Shopping: Newbury and Reading are about equidistant with large market town centres for shopping. Thatcham is only a short distance away with a Waitrose and a further selection of shops. Pangbourne is about a 10/ 15 minute drive approx.

Transport: Pangbourne and Thatcham stations have fast train connections to London Paddington. The M4 Junction 12 at Theale connecting to London and Heathrow is about 15 minutes.

Sporting: The Sports Centre & Tennis Complex at Bradfield is 5 minutes away with its fabulous indoor swimming pool, indoor tennis courts, squash and fitness centre open to public membership. For the equestrians there are riding schools in the area with lots of bridle paths through marvellous farmland and Bucklebury Common. There is polo on the Englefield Estate only 10 minutes away. Golf courses at Streatley, The Springs, Badgemore, Calcot, Sanford Springs and Bradfield.

SUMMARY OF ACCOMMODATION: Enclosed entrance porch with door to cloakroom, large reception hall with open fireplace and golden oak staircase to first floor, walk through to office/library, drawing room with part used as TV room and part presently used as a dining room, music room, sitting room, large farmhouse style kitchen/breakfast room with Aga, Maytag fridge, dishwasher and wine cooler, French doors to York stone rear terrace, utility room fitted with Admiral washing machine and tumble dryer and cloakroom for garden and pool use, door to dog room and boot room, wine cellar. First floor: 6 bedrooms, study, 2 bathrooms, shower room to include master bedroom suite, guest suite and family bathroom. Roof terrace. Security system with lighting (see Note 2).

Gardens & Grounds: Gardens and woodland extending to approximately 1.559 acres (see Note 1). The gardens and grounds have been the subject of extensive and very clever redesign of recent years and the symmetry of the house, gardens, pool area, decking, patios and woodland all flow into one another beautifully. For the sun worshiper there are a number of patios/ seating areas for breakfast, lunchtime and evening dining according to the positioning of the sun.

The woodland has been beatifully maintained and a pretty path meanders through (this is private to The Long House woodland with no public footpaths) Heated swimming pool with electrically operated security cover, 2 small outbuildings containing operating equipment for pool, with water heater to one side. A green oak 2-bay car port with secure wood store to one side and also an oak constructed studio with oak vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and an oak floor, electricity, light and power. Productive vegetable garden. Very attractive expensive ALITEX greehouse aluminium framed. Gardens fitted with a dog watch hidden fence system.


Note 1: 0.528 acre of garden is freehold, 1.031 acres of woodland are leasehold 99 years and subject to a peppercorn rental of £350 per annum. For all intents and purposes this land will be viewed by lending institutions in a similar way to a freehold.

Note 2: Full security system including exterior lighting system with interior 4 zoned touch-plate control.

Note 3: The access drive potholes are filled every year in the spring by the farmer when weather permits, and will be filled in Spring 2015.

Note 4 : There is a little used footpath/ bridleway between the property and its driveway/ outbuilding. It should be noted there are no other rights of way or footpaths over the garden, grounds or woodland.

DIRECTIONS: From the offices of Dudley Singleton turn left, pass over the mini roundabout, pass out of the village. Cross over the M4, turn right signposted to Bradfield.
Pass Bradfield Sports Centre and Bradfield College. At the T-junction with the War Memorial on your left, turn right. Through Bradfield Southend and the Avenue of Oaks, pass The Bladebone pub and PO/store. Take the 3rd turning into the Common on the right, which has a tree trunk at the beginning very clearly painted white. Proceed down this gravelled track, pass a red brick house on the left hand side, carry on straight ahead and enter a made up lane which is tarmacadamed with granite cobbled sets each side. Pass an old cottage called High Meadow built of timber and, at the end of this drive, enter the forecourt of The Long House.

SERVICES: Mains water, electricity, septic tank drainage, oil fired central heating.

Post Code: RG7 6QG.

LOCAL AUTHORITY: West Berkshire Council. Tel: 01635 42400. www.westberks.gov.uk

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

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 in inspecting properties which have been sold, let or withdrawn.
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS: The agent has not tested any apparatus, equipment, fixtures, fittings or services and so cannot verify that they are in working order or fit for their purpose. The buyer is advised to obtain verification from their Solicitor or surveyor.



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 :

• Period country house
• Surrounded by Bucklebury Common
• Six bedrooms
• Three bathrooms
• Fine proportioned rooms
• The best of the 18th and 21st Centuries
• Swimming Pool
• Gardens and Woodland Approx 1.559 acres