Brightwalton, Newbury, RG20

There’s enduring desire for romantic country cottages in pretty rural villages – and with lanes lined with blossoming trees and carpets of snowdrops, now is the perfect time to seek out an idyllic rural retreat.

Reminiscent of the devastatingly pretty cottage in the enduringly popular Christmas film The Holiday, Grade II Listed Hope Cottage dates back to the late-17th century and has been lovingly preserved and renovated by the current owners over the past nine years. The period details such as timber ceiling beams and inglenook fireplaces harmonise perfectly with the accoutrements of a 21st-century lifestyle.

The black-and-white timbered façade of the original thatched cottage - which was re-thatched in 2020 - contrasts beautifully with the natural elm-clad later extension and this is echoed in a more recent addition – a detached double garage/car-port with a super one-bedroom/bathroom annexe above.

The ceilings are of a good height for a cottage of this vintage and it would particularly suit a family with older children or downsizers seeking the peace and cosiness of this friendly community. Alternatively, it would make a superb countryside retreat for weekends and holidays.

The enviably spacious kitchen/family room extends to 26x14ft and is the idyllic hub of day-to-day life, backed up by the refined conviviality of the sitting room and dining room.

A staircase from the kitchen rises to two identical bedrooms flanking a bathroom while, from the hallway, a second staircase accesses two further bedrooms – one of which is the principal suite.

A cottage so full of charm is extremely hard to find – let’s fill you in on the details.

Pretty as a picture and with all the home comforts

Hope Cottage sits on a quiet lane within a quarter-of-an-acre of hedged and fenced gardens. There’s parking for several cars on the gravelled courtyard in front of the garage and beneath the car-port and a path leads through the pretty rear garden to the cottage entrance.

On entering the cottage the hallway and the first staircase lies to the right and there’s a cloakroom with WC and a super-cool freestanding bathtub at the end of it.  To your left lies the light-filled and spacious kitchen/family room, beautifully presented and the made-to measure heart of everyday life with plenty of space for cooking, entertaining or relaxing.

The contemporary kitchen was fitted just five years ago and features an L-shaped sweep of French grey floor and wall units under solid oak worktops to harmonise with the ceiling beams, flagstone-style floor tiles and the upright timber posts of the second staircase. There’s an integral freezer and dishwasher and a Belfast sink positioned under a window.

The far end of this fantastic 26ft open-plan room can, of course, be utilised as desired but with a table and chairs it’s perfect for informal family breakfasts and suppers and, beyond this, a corner sofa would fit nicely alongside the French doors with space for a wall-mounted TV on the opposite wall.  In the warmer months, throw open the doors onto the sunny terrace with views over the garden.

A compact utility room is tucked away to the side of the kitchen lobby, fitted with identical cabinetry to the kitchen, a sink, and plumbing for washing machine.

From the hallway, the 14x13ft dining room leads through to the equally spacious 18x14ft sitting room.  For convivial Sunday lunches or refined candlelit dinners, the beamed dining room exudes a characterful ambience and has plenty of space for a nice big dining table and chairs. The inglenook fireplace is fitted with a now decommissioned Rayburn range stove which provides an interesting conversation piece, and all the mellow timber in this room harmonises beautifully with the original red-brick tiled floor. 

An enormous inglenook fireplace with a chic cream woodburner is the focus of the sitting room. It’s the perfect place for pre-dinner G&Ts and post-dinner coffee, quiet reading and relaxation. You might decide to confine TV viewing to the family room and keep this as a peaceful haven.

Bedtime story

Hope Cottage’s four lovely bedrooms are as enchanting as the rest of the property, their character enhanced by the curves and angles of the vaulted ceilings and more of those lovely wooden beams.

The two-staircase layout makes this cottage particularly suitable for a family with older children craving their own space and privacy. There’s a duo of identical good-sized (14x9ft) bedrooms with a bathroom sandwiched between them reached via the stairs from the kitchen/family room.  

The second staircase, from the hallway, accesses the beautiful principal bedroom, a spacious (17x15ft) haven with a sophisticated boutique hotel vibe. There’s a couple of steps up into the en-suite shower room with a red-brick chimney breast adding quirky interest.

Across the landing is the fourth bedroom, another generous double at 14x10ft. If desired it could be converted into a fabulous dressing room with rails, drawers, mirrors and luxe seating, completing a suite that’s the perfect all-round sleep and relaxation zone for grown-ups.

Constructed less than two years ago, the garage/car-port annexe adds extra allure to the multitudinous assets of Hope Cottage. Accessed via an exterior staircase, the 13x11ft bedroom has been fitted and decorated to the highest of standards complete with a chic white-tiled shower room. It would be perfect for guests, an older teenager craving their own space or as an AirBnB holiday let.

 A glorious garden

With generous expanses of lawn and pretty borders brimming with cottage flowers both front and back come spring, the manicured gardens of Hope Cottage are perfect just as they are or as a blank canvas for enhancement.

A number of lofty mature trees create shady areas in the summertime and the French doors from the family room can be flung open to create that ‘indoors-meets-outdoors’ feel and connection to the lovely paved patio. Whether it’s al fresco drinks and canapes with guests or a family barbecue, it’s a pleasure to be in this delightful garden inspired by the sights and sounds of the countryside.

With hedged and hazel fenced borders, this fabulous garden is easily managed and designed to provide colour and interest all year round. If you like to ‘grow your own’, there are four sizeable raised timber vegetable beds for just that purpose and there’s also a log store next to the garage.

Round and about

Brightwalton is a small, close-knit community with lots going on throughout the year which residents can dip in and out of as desired. The majority is centred round the village hall and All Saints Church and includes everything from quiz nights, gardening club, dance lessons, wine tastings, table tennis and toddler group to Young Farmers and youth clubs.

Brightwalton CE Primary School is Ofsted-rated ‘good’ and the village is within the catchment area of the renowned Downs secondary school in Newbury. Excellent independent schools abound within a ten-mile radius including Downe House School, St Gabriel’s, Thorngrove, Elstree and Cheam.

You can pop over to Great Shefford, four miles, to pick up everyday essentials at the SPAR convenience store while a choice of supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Waitrose are located in the market town of Wantage, six miles.

Newbury, nine miles away, is a big town with a real buzz. As well as a choice of supermarkets, there’s a thriving high street featuring both big brands and independent shops. And if you like a flutter on the horses, Newbury, of course, has its own racecourse.

Super eateries abound in the leafy lanes of this part of Berkshire and include the recently refurbished 18th-century Ibex Inn at Chaddleworth  and The Crab & Boar at Chieveley with its ‘field to shore’ menu featuring local game and fresh-off-the-boat crab. The Vineyard at Stockcross and The Woodspeen are both renowned emporiums of fine dining.

Throughout the seasons this is picture-perfect walking, cycling and hacking country with an endless choice of routes. It has a spectacular landscape that includes tranquil open downland, ancient woodland and chalk streams, all protected by its status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Golfers can hit the greens at West Berkshire Golf Club and Newbury showground hosts a wide choice of events throughout the year. Beautiful Welford Park is the home of TV’s Great British Bake Off and its famous carpets of snowdrops are an annual spectacle.

Brightwalton’s connectivity is good, being just ten minutes from junction 13 of the M4/A34 and trains run regularly from Newbury station to London Paddington and arrive in 45 minutes.