Kennel Ride, Ascot

The Story

Stepping out through her French windows into her gorgeous garden, Kim thinks back with fondness on the past 16 years at her home on Kennel Ride. She brought her two children up here and has made the atmospheric property her own, while also retaining its wonderful, original features. “I have always loved Victorian houses and this one had such a lovely, homely vibe,” she recalls. “I liked the space it offered, as well as its character, and it had such a beautiful, mature garden. It was also in an excellent location – ideal for the high street, with its coffee shops, the racecourse and Charters School, which my children went to. It was perfect for us in every way.”

Steaming Sunlight

Dating back to 1899, the house is believed to have been one of the Ascot properties built for those working on the railway. “It did need work when we first moved here, but it had so much potential,” she recalls. “We removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create one lovely, light-filled space. This now has skylight windows above the kitchen and French windows that open up to an area of decking.” A ground-floor cloakroom was installed and the loft was converted to create one, very generous, double bedroom at second-floor level. “We do also have full planning permission for someone else to extend out to the rear of the house,” she adds. “This would allow for the creation of an even bigger kitchen, complete with a central island, and a utility room, if they wished.”

Period Style

Set back from the road by its driveway, the inviting property is semi-detached. Entered from the front, it features the sitting room, kitchen dining room and cloakroom at ground-floor level. As soon as visitors step inside, they are greeted by a feeling of warmth, welcome and relaxed family living. Period features, such as stripped floorboards, wooden doors and skirting boards have been enhanced with careful choices of furniture, colour and artwork. “There is period-style tiling in the hallway and paint throughout the house is from Farrow & Ball,” she explains. “I have tried to ensure the house is in keeping with its age while also bringing in a few unique touches of our own.”

All Seasons

The sitting room, to the front of the house, embraces the beautiful bay window and an attractive fireplace. “This is a lovely room, especially in the wintertime, when the open fire is lit and it becomes a very cosy place to relax and watch television or read a book,” Kim says. “The kitchen is a great space for cooking and gathering for family meals. It has a very earthy, natural feel, with its beautiful, porcelain tiles.” She adds: “This is also a superb entertaining space – my daughter had lots of parties here when she was a teenager and it always worked very well.” In summer, the French windows are kept open so everyone can stroll out on to the covered deck. “It is all about the garden here at that time of year,” she admits. “It is nice to sit outside with a cup of coffee or to cook out on the barbecue.”

Beautiful Oasis

On the first floor of the house, there are two double bedrooms, plus the impressive family bathroom. Featuring a panelled bath and painted wood floor, this is a generous size and has been transformed into something of a relaxing sanctuary. “It has been created using copper pipes and is truly unique,” Kim observes. “There are twin hand basins and it has been completed with the addition of a number of leafy, green plants.” The third bedroom encompasses the entire second floor of the house. “This is my daughter’s room and it is perfect for her,” she says. “She can retreat up there when she returns from work and has her own space. New owners could look into adding a bathroom at this level if they wished, as there is plenty of room.”

Happy Days

Ensuring the children had their own space, as well as room to spend together as a family, was essential to Kim as they were growing up. “We have an amazing summerhouse in the back garden where my son chose to sleep for many years – this has a mezzanine, where he had his bed, and then a space below where he had his sofa and television. Today this is arranged as a gym, but it could have also sorts of uses, depending on requirements.” She adds: “We also have a smaller, Austrian-style building outside that could become a sauna or yoga space perhaps.” Now moving on because the children have grown up, Kim admits she will miss everything about her attractive home, from its unique character and ambience to its convenient yet quiet location. “It has been such a lovely home,” she muses. “It has been exactly what we have needed it to be over the years and I will take so many wonderful memories with me when I leave.”

Setting the Scene

To the front, a gravelled driveway provides off-road parking, with evergreen hedging creating a divide to the neighbouring property. A timber side gate and pathway offer a route to reach the naturalistic rear garden where a decked platform spans the back of the property offering opportunities for outdoor dining and relaxation. There are paved stepping stones leading across a lawn to a secluded section of the garden just beyond a rustic timber gate, which features a brick walkway through architectural planting. Timber outbuildings at this far margin of the plot offer versatile-use options and include a sauna cabin (incoming purchaser will need to install a sauna if required) and a shack providing a bolthole away from the bustle of everyday life.

Location

The house on Kennel Ride is set back from the road, with space to park in front. To the rear, it opens on to a beautiful, established garden, with a covered deck for entertaining. There is a spacious, versatile summer house, with its own area of decking, plus a second, smaller outbuilding.

Within Easy Reach

Kennel Ride is believed to have been the historic site of the Royal Kennels, home to the hunting dogs of King George, who rode from Windsor Castle to hunt on Ascot Heath. In present times, this is a sought-after residential street to the north of Ascot, with the renowned racecourse just over a mile distant, along with the High Street for day-to-day amenities and the mainline station for services to London. The nearby towns of Windsor, Camberley and Guildford offer more extensive facilities.

Whats Nearby

For the commuter, Kennel Ride is well placed for rail services to London (Waterloo) from Ascot station and the M3 may be accessed at J3, in turn linking with the M25.



There is plenty of well-regarded schooling in the vicinity including Holy Trinity Primary School and the outstanding-rated Charters School.



There are prestigious golf clubs in the area including Wentworth, Sunningdale, Swinley Forest and The Berkshire, along with health and fitness clubs at The Wentworth Club, Berystede Hotel, Pennyhill Park and Coworth Park. For the equestrian enthusiast, racing may be enjoyed at the nearby Ascot Racecourse and at Windsor.

Disclaimer

Chewton Rose Estate Agents is the seller's agent for this property. Your conveyancer is legally responsible for ensuring any purchase agreement fully protects your position. We make detailed enquiries of the seller to ensure the information provided is as accurate as possible. Please inform us if you become aware of any information being inaccurate.