Weston, Newbury, RG20

Constructed in 2008 in a classical Georgian style and offering extensive living space in the main house, underfloor heating throughout, additional annexe accommodation and around 2 ½ acres of formal gardens and grounds, Elton House is a modern masterpiece. 

The meticulous refurbishment and extension of the internal space includes the construction of a spectacular 818 sq ft orangery to the rear, offering incredible views over the garden and beyond onto open countryside.  In addition, the current owners have carried out a range of significant upgrades throughout, including a magnificent bespoke kitchen, redecoration of five bedrooms, (four ensuite) and extensive landscaping.  The result is a stylish, spacious and effortlessly elegant family home that’s ready for new owners to move in and start enjoying straight away.  We’re excited to tell you more about Elton House, so let’s fill you in on all the finer details.

Spectacular style and space

Sitting comfortably inside its generous grounds and offering privacy, tranquillity and 6500 of internal space, all within easy reach of London, Elton House is the ultimate country retreat for the discerning house-hunter.

From the moment you approach the house through electric wooden gates and along the sweeping driveway, you’ll appreciate that this is a home designed and maintained to exacting standards.

There is parking for around twenty cars in front of the house or within the triple garage to the side.  Enter through the grand portico with its stone pillars into a breathtaking double-height entrance hall.  Natural light floods in through the enormous cupola overhead, through which you can observe the ever-changing skyscape.  Ahead, a spectacular oak staircase ascends dramatically to a large picture window and galleried landing leading to the bedrooms.

The entrance hall is warmed by an inset wood-burner, and there is ample space here for a seating area where you can welcome your guests or where you can pause after coming in from the cold to warm up in front of the fire.  This space leads through into the recently installed bespoke kitchen by Ben Heath of Newbury, which is the real heart of this beautiful home.  Finished with bespoke, hand-made solid hardwood timber units and crisp white quartz worktops, a central island provides the perfect spot for food preparation and for family and friends to gather.  A stunning royal blue four-oven AGA provides a touch of rustic charm, whilst modern Siemens multi-functional ovens, microwave and plate warmer make cooking a breeze.  Every aspect of the design of this stunning kitchen has been thoughtfully considered to cope with the rigours of modern life.  High-spec integrated appliances include a Siemens full-height fridge and separate freezer, two Smeg dishwashers, Smeg five burner induction hob, integrated wine fridge and Quooker instant boiling water tap.  A bespoke pantry cupboard cleverly hides away spices and cooking ingredients whilst a large free-standing dresser houses the coffee machine and cocktail bar.

The lovely sash windows at either end allow plenty of natural light to flood in, creating a beautiful, spacious and light kitchen that’s a pleasure to spend time in.  There’s space for a large kitchen table for speedy weeknight suppers and casual breakfasts and just off the kitchen you’ll find a useful boot room with a door into the garden and downstairs washroom – the perfect place to remove muddy boots and dry muddy paws.  Laundry is taken care of in a separate room just off the kitchen, with extensive storage cupboards, plenty of work surfaces, plumbing for washing machine and dryer plus a useful sink. 

The spectacular orangery at the rear of Elton House is the most recent addition to the living spaces and was created to a bespoke design by Westbury Garden Rooms.  Decorated in a chic, neutral palette of soft greens with creamy porcelain tiles underfoot and offering incredible views over the garden, this room has been featured on the company’s website and it’s easy to see why.  It’s a magnificent space for entertaining (the current owners have held some fabulous parties here!) yet equally cosy for quiet evenings relaxing with family in front of the television or simply taking in the tranquil views.

Two magnificent lantern lights and glass walls on three sides allow natural light to flood this room, whilst zoned spotlighting creates a subtle ambiance in the evenings as you gaze up at the stars overhead.  Underfloor heating ensures this beautiful space is warm and cosy throughout the year, and the room provides a seamless connection between the kitchen and the formal drawing room, allowing an effortless flow.  Elegant dinner parties around the enormous table can spill out onto the terrace in summer, and there’s a cosy area at one end with comfortable sofas for after-dinner drinks.

Accessed from the entrance hall, passing through the library, complete with wine library, the formal drawing room at Elton House runs nearly the entire width of the house and is an impressive 36 ft long with a stone mantlepiece and open fire as a centrepiece.  Elegantly proportioned with high ceilings in the Georgian style and sash windows at either end, this lovely room enjoys ample light and enviable views.  Sit with a good book in front of the roaring open fire on a cold winter’s day, or in the warmer months, next to the French doors which open onto a south-facing side terrace with views over fields and the village cricket pitch beyond. 

A stylish home office decorated in rich red tones is found just off the entrance hall.   With super-fast fibre broadband of 500mbps on offer at Elton House, this is a perfectly tranquil spot to work from home.  The downstairs washroom is worthy of note too with its chic black sanitaryware and bespoke wallpaper, a tribute to Monet’s ‘Water Lillies’ paintings.

And so to bed…

Ascending the grand staircase, after pausing in front of the picture window on the landing, you’ll discover five newly refurbished and beautifully presented bedrooms. 

The graceful and elegant proportions continue throughout the first floor, with the opulent principal suite being the star of the show.  Located at the rear of the house, the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside create a peaceful sanctuary where you can wake up to enjoy enchanting mists across the meadow. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the array of wildlife that often visit Elton House – muntjac deer and red kites are regulars.

The raised dressing room area has been designed and fitted with handmade bespoke wardrobes and island by The Heritage Wardrobe Company, to their ‘Empire’ design. This ‘Dressing Room of Dreams’ has featured heavily on the company’s website and social media.  With ample storage space and oodles of natural light, it’s a beautiful space to enjoy getting ready in.   A spacious ensuite bathroom leads off the bedroom, complete with double basins, a sleek rolltop bath and separate rainfall shower. 

There are four further spacious bedrooms upstairs, three of which have newly fitted ensuites with the fifth bedroom making use of the family bathroom with its huge walk-in shower and large free-standing bath.  All the bedrooms are individually designed, beautifully presented with plantation shutters at the windows and fitted with bespoke wardrobes offering plenty of storage. 

Garden Delights

Extending to around 2 ½ acres, the peaceful, private and well-designed gardens at Elton House are a perfect blend of the formal and relaxed, with scope for further personalisation if desired.

The show-stopping orangery, kitchen and drawing room all open onto a large entertaining terrace which runs across the rear of the house so you can create seamless indoor-outdoor living.  Whilst the terrace is perfect for alfresco lunches and sundown drinks, children will enjoy charging about on the extensive lawns and exploring the wooded areas.

The gardens border the pretty water meadows which are a haven for wildlife.   A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the meadows are protected by S.S.S.I status. If you tire of exploring your private acreage, you can access the picturesque Lambourn Valley Way from a gate at the bottom of the garden and walk for miles across beautiful countryside.

More to discover

This remarkable property offers additional space above the triple garage.  Accessed via its own staircase, this first floor space could be put to a variety of uses including additional guest accommodation, a home office, gym or holiday let.  On the ground floor there is a triple garage, plant room and a workshop to the rear.

An idyllic location

Elton House is situated near the pretty village of Great Shefford which has a range of facilities including a petrol station, village shop with post office, village hall, pre-school, primary school and playing field.  There’s a thriving community in the village, offering an opportunity to become part of the neighbourhood and enjoy some of the regular social events that take place throughout the year.

There are some beautiful walks right from the doorstep, letting you explore the area and beyond.  Why not stroll along the River Lambourn into the village, or walk across the footpaths from Weston to The Pheasant, an excellent pub offering delicious food and drinks.  There are several renowned pubs and eateries nearby including the acclaimed Woodspeen, The Boxford and The Dundas Arms at Kintbury.

The pretty market town of Hungerford is seven miles away and was recently named by The Sunday Times as one of the country’s best commutable countryside towns. It’s well-known for its antique shops but also offers a good range of more practical facilities including a supermarket, post-office and a railway station with a mainline service into London Paddington (50 minutes)

The larger town of Newbury is six miles away where you’ll discover an excellent range of supermarkets, high-street shops and independent boutiques, a cinema, theatre plus restaurants and pubs. There are regular fast train services to London Paddington (42 minutes).  The M4 can be accessed at Junction 14, three miles away.

There is an excellent choice of state and independent schools nearby, including St Gabriels, Bradfield College, St Andrew’s, Cheam, Elstree, Downe House and Marlborough College.  The village primary school is highly regarded, and John O’Gaunt Secondary School in Hungerford is rated “Good” by Ofsted.  It’s described as having a ‘culture of higher ambition where pupils are encouraged to reach their potential in a nurturing and inclusive way.’