10 Abbey Gardens, Upper Woolhampton, Berkshire 10 ABBEY GARDENS, UPPER WOOLHAMPTON, BERKSHIRE

951 sq ft / 88.3 sq m square foot of the Douai Abbey grounds is a testament to the stoicism and fortitude of the Order of Benedictine Newbury 7.8 miles, Pangbourne 8 miles, monks who made the Abbey their home in 1903. Reading 11 miles, London 51 miles It is the wish of the developer, Colin Brooks, Chairman (all approx.) and founder of the well-known national building company, Bewley Homes plc, that the purchasers of the DESCRIPTION: An elegant first floor apartment within the property in Avalon, Douai School, will enjoy a life as restoration and conversion of a very beautiful Grade II peaceful as the surroundings and, with that view in mind, listed period building, and it is probably one of the best a full time estate manager has been employed to iron positions on the development. Being first floor it enjoys out all the day-to-day problems that may vary from wonderful views over the immaculate gardens and open looking after deliveries to management of the grounds farmland. This is one of the most spectacular and exclusive and common areas. developments to be found in this part of the world. It is very evident when arriving at the property that you Front door access to the pretty courtyard Cypress The property is situated within stunning landscaped are entering something very special. It is not only that gardens. gardens, surrounded by and overlooking fields, in an area immediately on entry to Abbey Gardens you pass the noted to be of outstanding rural beauty. The property is original Douai School buildings (the school has since There is underfloor central heating throughout. entered via a large arched porch way with a fine oak door closed), but also it is the meticulous care in which the giving access to a large communal reception hall. A whole development has been designed and Purchased by the present owners from new, it is consid- staircase then rises gracefully with original hand carved landscaped; an absolute delight to the eye. ered by them as they saw all the properties available, to stone hand rails to the first floor landing with another fine have the best position and layout of accommodation for oak door giving private access to the property. SPECIAL FEATURES: its size within this wonderful restoration conversion and The very beautiful setting, the peace and tranquillity of development. Abbey Gardens has been created from the conversion of the area, fine architectural detail both to the exterior and the historic, stunningly beautiful, Grade II listed, Douai interior of this apartment with its triple aspect drawing Although this property enjoys rural seclusion, peace and School, together with a number of outstanding, recently room and spectacular vaulted ceiling and carved tranquillity, it is still within easy driving distance of large constructed, modern properties enjoying enormous charm mullion stone windows. The windows have been commercial centres and main lines of communication by and character, which Robert Adam, the world renowned enhanced to the interior by tastefully created recently road and rail to other large commercial centres. A very architect of historic buildings, has created to complement fitted secondary double glazing. convenient place to live. the original abbey buildings. The formal grounds draw their inspiration from history with box hedging, a water rill, a There is a video entry phone from the ground floor main Viewing by arrangement with vendor’s agent, flower meadow and small orchard, which will further access to the building. And there is private car parking Dudley Singleton and Daughter, No. 1 Station Road, improve the synergy between the old and the new. for a single car to the front and a further space within the Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8 7AN Ditcham Field has become a carpet of wild flowers for underground car park. more informal enjoyment. Tel: 0118 984 2662 Fax: 0118 984 5490 The property is in first class decorative order with a History in Brief: In 1615, six English monks established a luxurious bathroom with shower ensuite to the master Website: www.singletonanddaughter.co.uk house of studies in Paris where they set about the training bedroom and a dressing room and an equally luxurious the young and English missionaries as well as ministering to shower room serving the second bedroom. Members of rightmove.co.uk, onthemarket.com, British exiles, one of whom was James II. Surviving the countrylife.co.uk, mayfairoffice.co.uk turbulent times of the French Revolution, the Order The kitchen with its high vaulted ceiling is fitted with an relocated to the town of Douai, northern France. extensive range of high quality light oak fronted Email: [email protected] However, further religious intolerance and the confiscation cupboard and drawer units. A Bosch oven, of their premises precipitated their repatriation to the fridge/freezer, dishwasher, fitted coffee machine, 4 ring London office: Cashel House, Thayer Street, W1 current site in Woolhampton, where their seminary was ceramic hob, extractor hood and granite work surfaces. combined with St Mary’s College to form the famous Douai Twin sink bowl under mounted with waste disposal unit. School, which sadly closed in 1999. Every stone, brick and Dudley Singleton & Daughter The Country Agent & Auctioneer 1 Station Road, Pangbourne Berkshire, RG8 7AN 0118 9842662 www.singletonanddaughter.co.uk [email protected]

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Dudley Singleton and Daughter for themselves and for the vendors of this property, whose agents they are, give notice that: 1. The particulars are intended to give a fair and substantially correct overall description for the guidance of intending purchasers, and do not constitute part of an offer or contract. No responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of individual items. We relied upon our own brief inspection and information supplied to us by the vendors. (i) The description, including photographs of the property and its contents, are intended to be a guide only rather than a detailed and accurate report and inventory. (ii) Floor plans, measurements, areas and distances are intended to be approximate only. (iii) Prospective purchasers are strongly advised to check measurements. The position of bathroom fittings as shown on the plans is indicative only - sizes, shapes and the exact locations may differ. Wall thicknesses, together with window and door sizes are approximate only and window and door openings are shown without frame details. (iv) Photographs are not necessarily comprehensive or current and no assumption should be made that any contents shown in them are included in the sale. 2. All descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permission for use and occupation and other details are given in good faith, and are believed to be correct, but any intending purchasers should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them. 3. No person in the employment of the Dudley Singleton and Daughter has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property or these particulars, nor to enter into any contract relating to the property on behalf of the Vendor. 4. No responsibility can be accepted for any expenses incurred by intending purchasers in inspecting properties which have been sold, let or withdrawn. FIXTURES AND FITTINGS: The agent has not tested any apparatus equipment fixtures, fittings or services and so cannot verify that they are in working order or fit for their purpose. The buyer is advised to obtain verification from their Solicitor or surveyor. Local Facilities: Upper Bucklebury and Southend Bradfield have great village shops. Yattendon is not very far away with its world famous Royal Oak Country House Hotel and res- taurant, a good Post Office/general store, a hairdresser, and a highly regarded primary school. In Woolhampton there is a post office, newsagent, pubs and restaurants.

A Waitrose in Thatcham approximately 4 miles away and in Calcot at Junction 12 of the M4 there is a large Sainsbury’s which is approximately 15 minutes by car. Sporting facilities are open to public membership at the Bradfield College sports complex which has a fitness centre, squash courts, indoor tennis courts, a fine indoor swimming pool, and many other activities. Bradfield College also has a 9-hole golf course and it is understood that membership is still open. Schools within easy driving distance include Elstree, St Finian’s, Bradfield College, Pangbourne College, St Andrews and Downe House. There is a doctors’ practice at Chapel Row, Bucklebury, which is just up the road. Excellent rail connections giving fast train services will be found from Midgham and Aldermaston both approximately 1.5 miles, Pangbourne or Theale. Pangbourne has a large selection of specialist shops and access to the River Thames and riverside pubs.

SUMMARY OF ACCOMMODATION: Main communal entrance hall with video entry phone, staircase to first floor and landing, private entrance to number 10, reception hall, cloakroom, Inner hall, sitting room with dining area, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, Shower ensuite to master bedroom, kitchen, communal grounds of 12 acres, car parking space to the front of the property, further private parking space in the underground car park, full electric underfloor central heating.

Communal Gardens: Approximately 12 acres of formal gardens, meadow and woodland.

Maintenance Charge: £3,600 per annum which includes a full time estate manager, garden maintenance, etc. Tenure: Leasehold - 999 years from 2004.

The property has a Zurich 10 warranty relating to the building.

DIRECTIONS: From the offices of Dudley Singleton turn left, proceed out of the village passing through Tidmarsh, over the top of the M4 and turn right signposted to Bradfield. Proceed as far as you can along this road, passing through the heart of Bradfield College, until you reach a sloping T-junction with a War Memorial on your left. Turn right. Pro- ceed through Bradfield Southend eventually entering the Avenue of Oaks. At the end of the Avenue of Oaks, where there is a village shop on your right, a cafe on your left, and the Bladebone pub, turn left. This is Hatch Lane. Proceed to the bottom of Hatch Lane where there is a little grass island and a T-junction. Turn left. Proceed down this road which eventual- ly leads you past a fine church and the Abbey buildings. At the T-junction turn left and imme- diately left into Abbey Gardens. Proceed past the marked private parking bays (please do not park in the marked bays), a short distance down on the left hand side and park beside a small brick building before the bend in the road.

SERVICES: Mains water, electricity and drainage, electric heating.

Post Code: RG7 5TZ Council Tax Band: E

LOCAL AUTHORITY: West Berkshire Council. Tel: 01635 42400. www.westberks.gov.uk