Downland Cottage ALDWORTH Berkshire - Warmingham

Downland CottageALDWORTHBerkshirePRICE GUIDE: £699,950 FREEHOLDIn unspoilt hill top village surrounded by rolling Downland countryside in an area of‘Outstanding Natural Beauty’, and conveniently placed for access to Reading, Newbury, Oxford,the M4 and for trains to London at Goring. An appealing detached period Cottage ofconsiderable character and with literary connections and origins in the late 1700’s, recently thesubject of tasteful improvement and refurbishment and occupying a delightful elevated positionenjoying superb rural views in private and secluded gardens of approximately ⅓ of an acre.VIEWING: Strictly by appointment with the agent as above

Downland Cottage, Aldworth, Reading RG8 9RL 2SUMMARYo Tiled PORCH with heavy oak frontdooro HALLo CLOAKROOMo SITTING ROOM with Inglenookfireplace and bread oveno STUDYo KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOMo CONSERVATORY/DINING cumFAMILY ROOMo UTILITY ROOMo LANDING with ladder access tospacious boarded loftoooooMASTER BEDROOM with EN SUITEBATHROOM4 Further BEDROOMSFAMILY BATHROOMOIL CENTRAL HEATINGDETACHED GARAGE with gravelledforecourt for additional parking andturningo Attractively laid out gardens ofapproximately ⅓ acre, havingsheltered south westerly aspectLocationAldworth is a small and much prized rural village lying high up on the Berkshire Downs approximately600ft above sea level, close to the ancient Ridgeway Path and in a designated area of ‘OutstandingNatural Beauty’. The village, which is historically linked to agriculture and farming, still continues thisway of life today retaining its unspoilt charm.There are two well-respected local inns the Bell and the thatched Four Points as well as a notable churchSt Mary’s, which dates from the 12 th century and is well worth visiting to see the 14 th century monumentsto the De La Beche family, known as the Aldworth Giants. Also in the churchyard is a great yew treebelieved to be older than the church itself. The village has a strong literary connection with the poet LordTennyson who married Emily Sellwood whose family lived at Pibworth Manor and Laurence Binyon, whois buried in the churchyard. The well-known author, Anne Scott-James, also lived for many years in thevillage in recent times and the much admired Laurie Lee was a frequent visitor in earlier years. Thevillage square by the Bell Inn has a well, reputedly the deepest in Berkshire being some 386’ deep. Thereis a cricket field by the village hall, the latter providing numerous social and community activities.Situated just to the South of the Parish Church is a small Green bordered by farmland and a fewdelightful period Cottages.Located just off the B4009 Newbury to Streatley Road, some 2½ miles from Streatley on Thames, thevillage enjoys good road communications for Newbury, Reading, Oxford and the M4 motorway networkat junctions 12 or 13. For commuters there is a mainline station at Goring giving fast, regular services toReading and up to London (Paddington) in well under the hour.* GORING on THAMES - 3 miles * NEWBURY - 10 miles * READING – 10 miles *OXFORD - 19 miles* M4 at THEALE (J12) – 8 miles *M4 at CHIEVELEY (J13) – 8 ½ miles* A34 dual carriageway at EAST ILSLEY - 5 milesThe PropertyDownland Cottage is a detached pretty Cottage having washed brick elevations under a steeply pitchedhalf-hipped clay tile roof. Believed to date from the late 1700’s and originally probably a pair of Cottages,the property over the past 20-30 years has been extensively improved including re-roofing andinstallation of oil fired central heating.The present owners have also carried out further sympathetic improvements notably with the additionalof an elegant Amdega conservatory which enjoys a sunny aspect over the garden and by adjoining thekitchen/breakfast room has become the focal point as the family living area.Other improvements include the following:-

Downland Cottage, Aldworth, Reading RG8 9RL 3‣ New oil fired Alpha Range installed in the kitchen‣ Central heating system upgraded and mainly renewed‣ Replacement carved wooden windows which are double glazed and fitted in matchingdesign to originals‣ Electrics upgraded‣ New white suites to cloakroom and both bathrooms‣ Loft insulated and boarded‣ Redecoration throughout with tasteful décorThe siting and elevation of the Cottage with its south westerly facing gardens provide a most attractivefeature with the principal rooms enjoying delightful rural views over the garden and the surroundingDownland countryside where the scenery changes during the seasons and from where can been seenfabulous sunsets.Known as Diamond Cottage during the 2 nd WW when owned by Rosamond Lehmann the grand-daughterof Robert Chambers of dictionary fame, the Cottage has more literary connections as amongst thefrequent visitors who stayed were Cecil Day-Lewis and Laurie Leed the poet and well known authorwhose book ‘Cider with Rosie’ was dramatised for T.V. and has become a classic story of young love andrural life.AccommodationGROUND FLOORFRONT PORCH:Under tiled roof with supporting timbers andlantern light. Heavy oak front door withwrought iron furniture.ENTRANCE HALL: (N)2 wall light points. Radiator.CLOAKROOM: (N)White suite and low level W.C. Ribbed towelrail/radiator and fitted wall shelving.SITTING ROOM: (S)An attractive room with a full aspect over thegardens and surrounding Downlandcountryside. Original chimney breast withInglenook fireplace recess having exposed bricksurround and interior, high wooden mantelshelf, bread oven and open grate with canopyhood. Fitted floor cupboards with book shelvingabove in alcove recess. 3 radiators with periodstyle surrounds. Study Area in wider innerpart of room with balustraded turning staircaseleading to first floor. Understairs StoreCupboard.Sitting Room with Inglenook fireplaceSTUDY: (N)Stripped pine floor boards. Radiator. 2 walllight points. Wide fitted dresser unit with 2double floor cupboards and book shelves aboveup to ceiling height.

Downland Cottage, Aldworth, Reading RG8 9RL 4UTILITY ROOM: (N & W)Radiator. Matching range of wall and fittedfloor and wall cupboards with worksurface alongone side having inset stainless steel sink unit.Built-in space for washing machine and tumbledryer. Ample space for other appliancesincluding tall fridge freezer. Stable back door.KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM: (S)Range of wall and floor units in antique pineproviding good cupboard and drawer storagewith cornicing to wall units which haveconcealed underlighting together withappropriate solid light oak work surfacestogether with deep Belfast sink (period stylebrass mixer taps). Breakfast Bar. Stripped pinefloor boards. Original tall fireplace recess withexposed brickwork housing the Alpha oil firedrange oven. Built-in integrated dishwasher.Corner floor units with space saving pull-outdrawers and storage. Fitted shelving andstorage in alcove recess.Conservatory/Dining/Family RoomFIRST FLOORLANDING: (N)Extending through the centre of the propertygiving access to all rooms. Built-in doubleAiring Cupboard widening internallycontaining foam insulated hot water tank withimmersion heater and extensive slatted shelvingto one side. Trap access with aluminium slidingladder up into insulated and boarded Loft withelectric light, providing ample storage space andgood ceiling height.BEDROOM 1: (S)Far reaching views across the garden to thesurrounding Downland countryside. Radiator inperiod style grilled surround. Original chimneybreast with floor to ceiling shelving on one sideand with fitted double Wardrobe Cupboardon the opposite side.Kitchen/Breakfast RoomBedroom 1CONSERVATORY/DINING/FAMILYROOM: (E, S & W)A spacious and versatile living area locateddirectly off the kitchen with windows around 3sides giving panoramic views over the garden.Ceramic tiled floor with underfloor heating. 2wall light points. Vaulted ceiling. French doorsopening onto the terrace and gardens.EN SUITE BATHROOM: (S)White suite comprising a panelled cast bath(period style chrome mixer taps with showerhandset) pedestal wash hand basin and low levelW.C. Built-in wall shower at opposite end ofbath with flexible handset and folding sideshower screen. Ribbed towel rail/radiator. Wallshaver point.

Downland Cottage, Aldworth, Reading RG8 9RL 5En Suite BathroomBEDROOM 2: (E)Similar views as in Bedroom 1. Fitted hangingand shelved clothes storage in wide alcoverecess.BEDROOM 3: (S)Good country views. Radiator.Bedroom 5BATHROOM: (N)White suite comprising wooden panelled castbath (period style chrome mixer taps withshower handset) pedestal wash hand basin andlow level W.C. Ribbed towel rail/radiator.Ceramic wall tiling around bath and basin.Bedroom 3BEDROOM 4: (W)Views across the Parish Church. Radiator.Family BathroomOUTSIDEBedroom 4BEDROOM 5: (N)Radiator. Country views.The property has a mainly hedged frontage tothe village road with a splayed entrance andgravelled drive leading into a wider forecourtarea providing turning and parking spacefronting onto which is the large single Garageof timber construction with double woodenentrance doors and pitched roof, and fitted lightand power. The whole forecourt area is enclosedby fencing with pedestrian gate on one sideopening into the garden and leading to theCottage.

Downland Cottage, Aldworth, Reading RG8 9RL 6The gardens to the Cottage lie to the rear and arean important feature enjoying a shelteredsoutherly aspect and being elevated there areviews across to the surrounding Downlandcountryside. Mainly lawned with interestingshaped beds and borders which provide a rangeof varied colours through the seasons. There areclipped Yew hedges, a Magnolia tree, Cherry,Apple, Pear and Silver Birch trees sited instrategic areas around the garden adding furtherinterest.There is a rustic Arbor and timbered Walkwaycovered by Wisteria, Clematis and climbingRoses.There is a cedarwood Summerhouse locatedin the corner of the garden and there are 2 patioterraces in sheltered sunny areas. Throughoutthe garden there are a mass of spring bulbs.Extending along the northern boundary is a tallclipped Beech hedge.DirectionsA high wooden pedestrian gate on the frontagegives access to the back door and through to therear garden.In all the gardens and grounds extend toapproximately 1/3 acre.ServicesMains water, electricity and drainage areconnected to the property. Private septic tankdrainage. Central heating and domestic hotwater from Alpha oil fired range oven located inthe. Secondary hot water supply fromimmersion heater.Local AuthorityWest Berkshire Council, Council Offices,Market Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5LDTel: 01635 42400Council TaxBand: ‘F’Current year’s charges payable 08/09:£2,024.06From our offices in the centre of Goring turn left and proceed down the High Street crossing over theriver bridge and continue up to the top of the High Street where at the traffic lights proceed straightacross on to the B4009 to Newbury. Continue up the hill and on reaching the village of Aldworth inapproximately 2 miles proceed straight over the small crossroads and after the first sharp right handbend Downland Cottage will be found on the left hand side with its splayed entrance drive.

Downland Cottage, Aldworth, Reading RG8 9RL 7Rear Garden with ViewsRear Garden

Downland Cottage, Aldworth, Reading RG8 9RL 8Rear of PropertyTimber built Garage

Downland Cottage, Aldworth, Reading RG8 9RL 9N.B. The agent has not tested any apparatus, equipment, fittings or services so cannot verify that they are in working order. If required, the client is advised toobtain verification. These particulars are issued on the understanding that all negotiations are conducted through Warmingham & Co.Whilst all due care istaken in the preparation of these particulars, no responsibility for their accuracy is accepted, nor do they form part of any offer or contract.Intending clientsmust satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to their accuracy prior to signing a contract.