Brightwalton, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20

Family home with circa 35 acres in North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with far reaching views.

Description

DESCRIPTION
Malthouse Farm is a handsome 19th century farmhouse with classic proportions, and later additions. At the front of the house deep sash windows surround an elegant, glazed porch. Once inside architectural features include tall ceilings, wooden window shutters, elaborate cornicing, deep skirting boards and a beautiful, central, cut string staircase with mahogany handrail, rising to a delightful square galleried landing. The elegant drawing room features a stone fireplace, and two pairs of glazed French doors opening to the dining room. Opposite, the welcoming sitting room has a fireplace with a wood burning stove within, with bespoke bookshelves either side. The kitchen features wood wall and base units beneath granite worktops. Appliances include a four door Aga, two dishwashers, electric oven and domino hob. The kitchen also opens directly to the dining room, making for a pleasing flow to this part of the house, and the ability to open a large area to entertain in. Off the kitchen is a utility room, boot room, cloakroom and pantry. A corridor leads off the entrance hall and steps down to a family room with a further cloakroom off. A large dry cellar, presently used for storage, is also accessed off the hall. From the galleried landing, the principal bedroom suite has southerly and westerly aspects. A Victorian cast iron fireplace adds atmosphere to this lovely, light filled room. There is a bank of wardrobes to one wall, as well as a walk in wardrobe and steps down to a large bathroom with separate shower. There are four further bedrooms, three with en suite facilities and a family bathroom. Adjacent to the kitchen, to the other side of the covered archway is a wood panelled office and separate wine store.

BARN COTTAGE
Two bedroom cottage with kitchen, dining room, sitting room, shower room and bathroom.

STUDIO
One living/kitchen/bedroom studio apartment with shower and cloakroom. Presently let on AST for £800pm

OUTSIDE
The house stands alone up a long meandering driveway with the majority of the land to the west and south. The cottage and the studio are shielded from the house by mature planting, ensuring privacy. The mature gardens are formed of terraced lawns, interspersed with established flowerbeds with a small copse to the top terrace. A large terrace spans the dining room, maximising the southerly aspect. The tennis court lies just beyond.

BARN
The outbuilding covers an area of 7739 sq ft and presently provides an indoor pool with shower room and cloakroom, gym, games room, car port, and storage. The extensive footprint of this building provides an exciting opportunity to create further facilities, depending on requirements, and subject to the usual planning approvals. Preliminary architectural sketches have been commissioned as illustrations of possible potential uses.

THE LAND
Approximately 20 acres of the land is agricultural pasture which is designated downland, part of which has been planted up as a conservation meadow. The whole supports all manner of wildlife including grey partridge and skylarks.

SITUATION
The North Wessex Downs are among Britain’s most beautiful landscapes. An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, famed for its gentle rolling hills, chalk streams and dark skies, and historically inspirational to poets, painters and writers. Nestling within the folds of this stunning countryside, Brightwalton is a popular village with a thriving community. There are myriad footpaths and bridleways to enjoy, including along the ancient Ridgeway, just a short distance away. Although privately tucked away from view and very rural, Malthouse Farm is ideally situated for easy access to the national road and rail network via the A34 and Didcot Parkway. The nearby market towns of Wantage, Newbury and Hungerford all offer a comprehensive choice for everyday shopping requirements and the Saddleback farm shop is only two miles away. Historic Oxford and Marlborough present a vast array of cultural opportunities and pastimes. The highly regarded contemporary restaurant, The Woodspeen, and its sister restaurant, The Boxford are just eight and six miles away respectively. The popular Harrow pub in West Ilsley just four miles, and the award winning Watermill Theatre just eight miles. There is racing at Newbury, shoots on neighbouring farms, golf at the West Berkshire Golf Club, hunting with the Old Berks, and chalk stream fishing on the River Kennet and Lambourn.

SCHOOLING
There are highly regarded schools in the area, both state and private, including Marlborough College, Downe House, Radley College, Cheam, Abingdon, St Helen & St Katharine’s, Magdalen, Oxford High as well as Didcot Girls and The Downs School in Compton both rated outstanding in their last Ofsted reports. There is a primary school in the village and a choice of prep schools nearby.

Square Footage: 4,951 sq ft


Acreage: 35 Acres