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2 Cottage Aldern Bridge | | Berkshire | RG20 4HQ 2 ALDERN BRIDGE COTTAGE

In the heart of open countryside yet convenient for contemporary living, 2 Aldern Bridge Cottage is a stunningly located property. “We just love being in the countryside and yet only five minutes away from Newbury station” say current owners, “which enables us to commute to London quite easily to meet up with friends or to catch a show.”

Stunning views and a wonderful retreat ” A charming attached Victorian cottage in an idyllic setting with just over an acre of gardens and paddock

• Fabulous modern kitchen/dining room • Utility and shower room • Sitting room with fireplace • Sound-proofed Media room • Study • Impressive master bedroom • Large en suite bathroom and dressing room • Three further generous bedrooms • Salt water outside heated swimming pool • Lovely poolside area, ideal for entertaining • Log cabin and poolside bar • Large garage/store • Oil fired central heating • Ample gravel parking • Over and acre of garden and paddocks • Delightful and convenient location Location Aldern Bridge lies within a couple of minutes’ drive of St Gabriel’s School and within 5 minutes’ of Newbury town centre. This is a perfect getaway, close to major links and within easy reach of Reading and London. Newbury offers a railway station on the direct line to Paddington and an excellent range of shopping leisure and educational facilities. There is very good access via the A339 to the M4 motorway.

Description This outstanding property merges traditional character with modern design and is an ideal home for peace and tranquillity or for entertainment. The cottage benefits from beautifully presented and up-to-date accommodation which comprises a fabulous modern fitted kitchen/dining room (with a beer fridge and wine warmer), adjacent utility and shower room, attractive sitting room, study and sound- proofed snug/media room with built-in cinema, all on the ground floor. There is a master bedroom with dressing room and en-suite bathroom and three further generous bedrooms on the first floor.

Outside A large gravel area behind wooden electric gates provides parking for several cars and steps lead down to a lovely, Mediterranean style terrace adjacent the cottage. The salt-water heated pool lies to the rear with its own log cabin which has been cleverly fitted out as a bar! The remainder of the gardens are laid to lawn with post and rail fencing beyond which there are stunning views of open farmland and countryside. From the cottage the formal gardens give way to paddock enclosed by post and rail fencing and in all the land measures 1.158 acres.

Electricity connected. Private drainage and water supply. I have two favourite rooms” says Denise. “I love my kitchen and the fact that I can have eight people to dinner and not be shut out in another room cooking. Many a time after dinner parties we have danced in this room until the early hours! At Christmas I put lots of lights up and small Christmas trees in each of the windows. It is the perfect room for that atmosphere of Christmas cosiness.” Seller Insight

In the heart of open countryside yet convenient for contemporary living, 2 Aldern Bridge Cottage is a well placed and stunningly located property. “We just love being in the countryside and yet only five minutes away from Newbury station” say current owners Denise and Duncan, “which enables us to commute to London quite easily to meet up with friends or to catch a show.”

A pretty semi detached cottage originally built around 100 years ago, the property has been exquisitely renovated and many improvements made over the years. “We have carried out a phenomenal amount of work on the house” say Denise and Duncan. “Originally the house was a two-up, two-down cottage. We had three young children at the time and decided that rather than sell the cottage we would create our dream home with plenty of space for everyone as our family grew.”

The first extension was carried out with great craftsmanship in 1999, when a downstairs office and new front entrance were created, as well as the bathrooms being reconfigured. The internal hall wall was removed, making the lounge much bigger and two further bedrooms with built in wardrobes were created above the smaller lounge. In 2005-2008 a second major extension was built to house a beautiful kitchen with solid oak units and granite worktops. In 2015 the old roof was replaced, and just this year the whole driveway and entrance was enhanced and adapted to allow parking for around seven cars behind electric gates.

With a beautifully landscaped and fertile garden, the property is not just desirable for the house itself but for its surroundings. “We have an abundance of fruit trees, blackberries, red currants, black currants, raspberries, two eating apple trees, rhubarb, and a big cooking apple tree” says Denise. “In 2003 we had a small salt water pool put in and paved and fenced the area around it. We built the log cabin to house the pool boiler and other equipment that goes with the pool. We are very lucky in that we have the sun in the garden pretty much all day so can enjoy being outside. We are not overlooked as there are no houses around us apart from next door. We only have one neighbour and its lovely knowing that no one can build around us.” “However, we have a lot of friends in the village and there’s always something going on in the village hall or the sports and social club just a few miles up the road. There is also, of course, the local pub with very friendly people. There are plenty of shops in Newbury and once a month the Farmers’ Market is held in the high street. Every Thursday Newbury Market is held in the Market Square. Buses run from the top of the road (about 5 minutes walk) to Newbury and . We have a huge choice of restaurants in Newbury and a cinema, as well as the Corn Exchange with a wealth of theatre productions and films and the annual Christmas Pantomime. There’s always something going on, be it the Crafty Craft race on the canal or the annual carnival parade down the high street. Newbury Racecourse hold family days and racing days, as well as performances by bands and celebrity performers. For nature lovers, Herbert Plantation is just a short drive away which has lots of pathways into the forest for picturesque walks. Greenham Common is just five minutes away with beautiful walks either in the wooded areas or up on the common itself amongst the cows. There are plenty of tracks for bikes and horses too.

“In terms of local schooling, there’s a primary school just over two miles up the road and a secondary school slightly nearer. We have a private school on the way to Headley about three miles away.”

The property lends itself to parties and family gatherings. “In 2001 we decided to take down the old fencing which was supporting the bank around the house and replace it with a retaining wall all around the property. As soon as the wall was completed we laid decking around the house creating a huge outside area for entertaining” says Denise. “We have held many a party on the decking with some fifty or so friends here.”

“There’s nothing quite like coming home after a long day and having a swim to unwind, then having a few drinks by the cabin soaking up the last of the sun. We tend to shut the pool down after the summer and fire up the hot tub. The colder it is the more we appreciate it. We have celebrated Christmas morning in the hot tub with Champagne or Bucks Fizz for around 15 years... part of the family tradition. Another bonus of the hot tub is watching the shooting stars, we love it.”

“We will greatly miss the peace and tranquillity of the garden, and the amount of space we have to socialise with friends when we have barbecues and parties. We also changed the log cabin to a cosy bar and area to relax in.”

I also love the lounge. It’s cool in the summer months and cosy and warm in the winter when the wood burner is alight. There’s nothing like sitting in front of the wood burner with a cup of tea and a good book in the winter when it’s cold outside. But my husband Duncan loves the second smaller lounge as he can listen to music or watch a film on the projector without disturbing anyone!”

Our house being set in open countryside, it is a haven for wildlife which we both enjoy seeing” say Denise and Duncan. “Occasionally when we’re up early we watch the deer grazing in the field behind. During February and March we always see a pair of march hare boxing in the field, and of course August is the month for the Canadian geese to visit the field every morning and evening for a couple of weeks, feeding on the corn left behind by the combine harvesters. Our own paddocks were a bonus as we had our own horse and Shetland pony.” Directions From Newbury, head south on the A339 dual carriageway, passing St Gabriel’s School, on the left hand side. At the roundabout at the bottom of the hill take the first exit and follow the A339 for about half a mile turning right signposted . Cross over the small bridge and the cottage is the second of the two cottages on the left hand side.

Viewing Strictly by confirmed appointment with Jones Robinson. 01635 35010

Ref: Notice is given that all curtains, carpets, blinds, equipment, light fittings and fixtures, fitted or not are deemed to be removable by the Vendor unless specifically itemised in the sales particulars. Important Notice Jones Robinson 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. Prospective purchasers and lesses ought to seek their own professional advice. 2. All descriptions, dimensions, areas, reference to condition and necessary permissions 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 Jones Robinson has any authority to make or give representation or warranty whatsoever in relation to this property on behalf of Jones Robinson, nor enter into any contract 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.

All measurements are approximate. While we endeavour to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, if there is any point which is of Particular importance to you, please contact this office and we will be pleased to check the information for you, particularly if contemplating travelling some distance to view the property Newbury Office 118 Bartholomew Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5DT Tel 01635 35010 Fax 01635 523219 Email: [email protected] Website: www.jonesrobinson.co.uk.

Company registered in No 3561984. VAT Registered number 896 1184 87. Registered office Countrywide House, 23 West Bar St, Banbury, OX16 9SA. Jones Robinson is the trading name of Jones Robinson Estate Agents Limited. copyright © 2016 Fine & Country Ltd. Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. * These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent. Printed 05.09.2016

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