House For Sale £3,000,000
A rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional ‘Arts & Crafts’ style home set in a private location with far reaching and panoramic views over the North Wessex Downs. Built in 2010 and designed by award-winning architect Richard Cutler, the property has a wonderful light and airy feel throughout with inside-outside living encouraged via covered and uncovered elevated decked areas, accessed by multiple sets of bi-fold doors. The very flexible accommodation extends to six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and four reception rooms, with stunning landscaped gardens and grounds of approximately 1.8 acres.
Accommodation summary
Upper Ground Floor
The property is entered over a covered bridge, through double oak doors, into the 4 storey main staircase tower. From there, a half flight of stairs leads to the upper ground (main) floor and then
into the 2 ½ storey high vaulted dining hall, overlooked by the galleried landing, and a further library balcony on the second floor. This very three-dimensional space is complemented by the fully glazed 2 ½ storey north wall, with French doors leading out onto the deck.
The main, south facing drawing room is also 2 ½ stories and vaulted, with full height glazing, a Juliet balcony and French doors, providing far reaching views over open fields. It also has a large feature fireplace, with bifold doors opening onto the external covered deck. There are two internal balconies overlooking the room, forming the three-level library, linked by an internal bespoke metal spiral staircase.
The large kitchen/family room has a woodburning stove, bi-fold doors onto the deck in both its South and West aspects, and spectacular views. The east wing of the upper ground floor has two double bedrooms, and a family bathroom.
First Floor
The first floor principal bedroom suite is flexibly designed as it extends to the second floor. The main, vaulted space has a woodburning stove and bi-fold doors opening onto an oversized balcony with far reaching views, and with a spiral staircase down to the deck. This main room could be used as the bedroom, or could be used as a private lounge, with the sleeping area located on the second floor, reached by a spiral staircase. The impressive principal suite is completed with a large dressing area and a bathroom. The east wing of the first floor has two double bedrooms, and a further family bathroom.
Second Floor
The second floor holds a very private double bedroom with en-suite bathroom in the east wing at the top of the tower.
Lower Ground Floor
The lower ground floor has the double garage, two large reception rooms which could be used as a family room, playroom, games room or gym, both with bi-fold doors giving spectacular open access to the garden, a full kitchen/utility room with outside access, and a shower room. This floor could also be used as annex accommodation or as a base for a business.
Outside
Nestled in approximately 1.8 acres of private and mature gardens and grounds, a winding gravel driveway runs off the quiet rural lane on which Checkendon Hill House is located, leading its way up to the house, with the integral double garage off to the far right-hand corner. The gardens and grounds are quite stunning, providing a landscaped park-like setting, with great privacy and seclusion, and are laid mainly to lawn, with an extensive variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, and a wildflower meadow, providing diversity throughout the seasons. The gardens engage fully with the expansive decked terrace and balconied veranda that wraps around the property, and onto which all reception rooms and the principal bedroom open.
Location
Checkendon Hill House is located in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, (the UK’s third largest, after the Cotswolds and North Pennines). It is named from Checkendon Hill, the ancient name for the land it occupies, nestled below Checkendon Wood. It was designed by Richard Cutler, an Award-Winning architect, based in Wallingford, who specializes in modern ‘Arts & Crafts’. The house is on a single-track lane, in a deeply rural location. In the garden are regularly seen deer, foxes, badgers, with red kites and buzzards circling overhead, and owls audible in the night and early morning. The lower half of the garden is largely lawn, with many mature trees. The upper half has never been cultivated, and has been kept so, as a wildflower and nature garden. In summer it is full of a succession of native wildflowers, including orchids, and teems with butterflies and bees.
The ridge above Checkendon Hill House is part of National Trust land, ‘The Holies’, a conservation area for downland species. It offers extensive views over the Thames valley. There are numerous footpaths and bridleways, and the Ridgeway passes just below The Holies. The downs offer truly exceptional walking, riding and cycling opportunities. The hamlet of Stichens Green, of which Checkendon Hill House is on the fringe, is a friendly collection of about half a dozen homes. Up on the downs, the village of Aldworth (2.5 miles) is home to the local pub, the tiny Bell Inn, a true treasure. The site of a public house for approximately 1,000 years and run by the same family for the last 200+ years, The Bell Inn has won accolades as ‘Best Unspoiled Pub of the Year’ and camra ‘Pub of the Year’. Streatley Golf Club lies just beyond Checkendon Wood.
Belying its peaceful and secluded location, Checkendon Hill House is well served with transport links. Junction 12 of the M4 is 15 minutes drive. Pangbourne and Goring-on-Thames stations offer good train services to London (Paddington 44 minutes) and Oxford, and the Elizabeth Line now further reduces times to the City and Canary Wharf. Heathrow T5 is approx. 45 minutes.
Local Waitrose stores are at Wallingford and Caversham (both approx. 20 minutes), with a Sainsbury’s and Ikea at M4 J12, (15 minutes). Award-winning local specialist food stores include the butcher (Greens), cheese shop (Cheese etc) and organic shop (Garlands) all in Pangbourne. Locally sourced game is found at Vicars Game, Yattendon, and local craft breweries produce beer (West Berkshire Brewery) and cider (Tutts Clump).
In addition to having well revered local state primary and secondary schooling, the area is also extremely well served by an excellent range of private schooling, of particular note; Cranford House School, The Oratory Preparatory School, Moulsford Preparatory School, St Andrews Preparatory School, The Oratory School, Pangbourne College, Brockhurst & Marlston House, Downe House, Rupert House School, Shiplake College, The Abbey School, Bradfield College, The Manor Preparatory School, Abingdon School, Abingdon Preparatory School, Radley College, and St Helen & St Katharine.<br /><br />
Accommodation summary
Upper Ground Floor
The property is entered over a covered bridge, through double oak doors, into the 4 storey main staircase tower. From there, a half flight of stairs leads to the upper ground (main) floor and then
into the 2 ½ storey high vaulted dining hall, overlooked by the galleried landing, and a further library balcony on the second floor. This very three-dimensional space is complemented by the fully glazed 2 ½ storey north wall, with French doors leading out onto the deck.
The main, south facing drawing room is also 2 ½ stories and vaulted, with full height glazing, a Juliet balcony and French doors, providing far reaching views over open fields. It also has a large feature fireplace, with bifold doors opening onto the external covered deck. There are two internal balconies overlooking the room, forming the three-level library, linked by an internal bespoke metal spiral staircase.
The large kitchen/family room has a woodburning stove, bi-fold doors onto the deck in both its South and West aspects, and spectacular views. The east wing of the upper ground floor has two double bedrooms, and a family bathroom.
First Floor
The first floor principal bedroom suite is flexibly designed as it extends to the second floor. The main, vaulted space has a woodburning stove and bi-fold doors opening onto an oversized balcony with far reaching views, and with a spiral staircase down to the deck. This main room could be used as the bedroom, or could be used as a private lounge, with the sleeping area located on the second floor, reached by a spiral staircase. The impressive principal suite is completed with a large dressing area and a bathroom. The east wing of the first floor has two double bedrooms, and a further family bathroom.
Second Floor
The second floor holds a very private double bedroom with en-suite bathroom in the east wing at the top of the tower.
Lower Ground Floor
The lower ground floor has the double garage, two large reception rooms which could be used as a family room, playroom, games room or gym, both with bi-fold doors giving spectacular open access to the garden, a full kitchen/utility room with outside access, and a shower room. This floor could also be used as annex accommodation or as a base for a business.
Outside
Nestled in approximately 1.8 acres of private and mature gardens and grounds, a winding gravel driveway runs off the quiet rural lane on which Checkendon Hill House is located, leading its way up to the house, with the integral double garage off to the far right-hand corner. The gardens and grounds are quite stunning, providing a landscaped park-like setting, with great privacy and seclusion, and are laid mainly to lawn, with an extensive variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, and a wildflower meadow, providing diversity throughout the seasons. The gardens engage fully with the expansive decked terrace and balconied veranda that wraps around the property, and onto which all reception rooms and the principal bedroom open.
Location
Checkendon Hill House is located in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, (the UK’s third largest, after the Cotswolds and North Pennines). It is named from Checkendon Hill, the ancient name for the land it occupies, nestled below Checkendon Wood. It was designed by Richard Cutler, an Award-Winning architect, based in Wallingford, who specializes in modern ‘Arts & Crafts’. The house is on a single-track lane, in a deeply rural location. In the garden are regularly seen deer, foxes, badgers, with red kites and buzzards circling overhead, and owls audible in the night and early morning. The lower half of the garden is largely lawn, with many mature trees. The upper half has never been cultivated, and has been kept so, as a wildflower and nature garden. In summer it is full of a succession of native wildflowers, including orchids, and teems with butterflies and bees.
The ridge above Checkendon Hill House is part of National Trust land, ‘The Holies’, a conservation area for downland species. It offers extensive views over the Thames valley. There are numerous footpaths and bridleways, and the Ridgeway passes just below The Holies. The downs offer truly exceptional walking, riding and cycling opportunities. The hamlet of Stichens Green, of which Checkendon Hill House is on the fringe, is a friendly collection of about half a dozen homes. Up on the downs, the village of Aldworth (2.5 miles) is home to the local pub, the tiny Bell Inn, a true treasure. The site of a public house for approximately 1,000 years and run by the same family for the last 200+ years, The Bell Inn has won accolades as ‘Best Unspoiled Pub of the Year’ and camra ‘Pub of the Year’. Streatley Golf Club lies just beyond Checkendon Wood.
Belying its peaceful and secluded location, Checkendon Hill House is well served with transport links. Junction 12 of the M4 is 15 minutes drive. Pangbourne and Goring-on-Thames stations offer good train services to London (Paddington 44 minutes) and Oxford, and the Elizabeth Line now further reduces times to the City and Canary Wharf. Heathrow T5 is approx. 45 minutes.
Local Waitrose stores are at Wallingford and Caversham (both approx. 20 minutes), with a Sainsbury’s and Ikea at M4 J12, (15 minutes). Award-winning local specialist food stores include the butcher (Greens), cheese shop (Cheese etc) and organic shop (Garlands) all in Pangbourne. Locally sourced game is found at Vicars Game, Yattendon, and local craft breweries produce beer (West Berkshire Brewery) and cider (Tutts Clump).
In addition to having well revered local state primary and secondary schooling, the area is also extremely well served by an excellent range of private schooling, of particular note; Cranford House School, The Oratory Preparatory School, Moulsford Preparatory School, St Andrews Preparatory School, The Oratory School, Pangbourne College, Brockhurst & Marlston House, Downe House, Rupert House School, Shiplake College, The Abbey School, Bradfield College, The Manor Preparatory School, Abingdon School, Abingdon Preparatory School, Radley College, and St Helen & St Katharine.<br /><br />
