Icknield Road, Goring On Thames, RG8

DESCRIPTION:

A rarely available Arts & Crafts villa meticulously restored and sympathetically extended by the current owners to provide a grand residence with a real sense of heritage; this is only the fourth time it is has been on the market since it was built in 1907. The property sits on grounds of approximately 2 acres, including formal lawn and wild flower meadow, extending down to the Elvendon Valley. The house is designed and oriented to maximise the views over the grounds, and all bedrooms offer an outlook over stunning Oxfordshire countryside. All rooms have original Edwardian proportions, high ceilings and a sense of light and spaciousness throughout, with all of the original features retained including deep coving, fireplaces and picture rails. The property also benefits from a beautiful modern kitchen and bedroom suite extension, seamlessly blending the new with the original.

The extensive accommodation extends to over 5,000 sq ft arranged over three floors, and includes: sitting room with original bay window, large dining room, library, study, large kitchen/breakfast room, morning room, utility with shower room, cellar, main bedroom suite with dressing area and en-suite, five further double bedrooms, two further bathrooms and detached double garage. EPC Rating C.


LOCAL INFORMATION:

Goring is a sought after village conveniently located for commuting to London (56 minutes) and Reading (15 minutes) by train from Goring (mainline) station. Reading Station has a fast service to London, Paddington (from 29 mins) with the Elizabeth Line now allowing direct access to the City, Canary Wharf, the West End and Heathrow. The spectacular scenery in and around the Goring Gap is the setting for such classic books as Wind in the Willows, Watership Down and Three Men in a Boat. Views of Goring Lock, the weirs and the rural landscape, especially as seen from the bridge, are some of the most photographed and painted scenes in England. Goring has a good selection of local shops including an award winning grocer, butcher, several convenience shops including Tesco, as well as a doctor’s surgery, dentist, chemist and vets. There is a thriving local community with a wide range of clubs, societies and special interest groups – latest news and events are on the village website at visitgoringandstreatley.co.uk

ACCOMMODATION:

An oversized front door opens into the entrance hall with a barrel ceiling; all reception rooms are accessed from the long hall with views directly into the grounds. The library has a woodburning stove and double glass doors to the west-facing terrace that wraps around the house. The impressive sitting room has a curved bay window, with an original fireplace surrounded by ornate Arts & Crafts wooden mantle housing a woodburning stove and the room is particularly notable for its light. This room is open to the dining room (also accessible from the hall) which has a glazed door to the West terrace, and a feature fireplace. A study, with dual aspect South and West facing windows overlooking the terrace and garden can be accessed from either the dining room or the morning room.

Off the hall is a WC with terracotta floor tiles, and understairs storage. The hall leads into a morning room with a bar area/scullery kitchen, with feature steps that lead on further into the kitchen. The large kitchen/breakfast room has a South facing bay window and glazed double doors opening onto a West facing curved terrace offering a perfect setting for al fresco dining. The kitchen is fitted with a range of painted units and white Silestone worktop. An oversize curved central island with breakfast bar is a pleasing feature of the kitchen emphasising the bay window and overall proportions of the room. The kitchen has an electric dual control triple Aga with Silestone cooks shelf running behind, an integral dishwasher and space for an American style fridge/freezer. The large tile-floored boot room/utility area with a butler sink, space and plumbing for appliances, a door to the driveway and garden with a generous WC and shower room completes the sympathetic extension to the property. The cellar is also accessible via a staircase from the morning room.

A turning staircase with a linen cupboard with charming "bulls-eye" circular window on the half landing leads to the first floor landing with original architectural square columns which are a feature of the first floor, which retains the mahogany banister and spindles. The main bedroom suite offers a stunning curved bay window which provides a sweeping view South and West across the Chilterns to the tree line of Wroxhill Wood, a native bluebell wood approximately a quarter of a mile from the property that is a SSSI and local landmark. The master suite has high ceilings mirroring the kitchen dimensions below, a dressing area with a full range of built in wardrobes and an original cast iron fireplace. A large en-suite bathroom fitted with two pedestal sinks, bath and large walk-in shower also has a dual aspect over the gardens and towards Wroxhill Woods beyond. The original master bedroom has a bay window that matches the one below and views across the formal lawns below. This room benefits from hand-made built in wardrobes providing ample storage. There are two further double bedrooms to this floor, each with original built in wardrobes, both with original cast iron fireplaces and one featuring a charming window-seat in the box window facing the formal lawn. A family bathroom is located on this floor, with both a bath and separate walk-in shower.

Another turning staircase leads to the top floor, with a double height east-facing window and walk in cupboard on the half landing. There are two double bedrooms on this floor, one overlooking the front with a view towards the Downs and Ridgeway, and the other overlooking the rear garden and Elvendon Valley. There is also a further bathroom with a view towards Lough Hill.


OUTSIDE SPACE:

A five bar timber gate opens to a gravelled drive providing ample off street parking and leading to the double garage constructed of timber to match the style of the house and which is extra deep to accommodate a ride-on mower, potting bench and garden equipment, as well as two cars. Behind the garage is a wood-framed covered log-store. An oak gate aligns with the front door of the property giving pedestrian access from the street.

The grounds are a particular feature of the property, with the overall plot being of approximately 2 acres. The flagstone terrace runs along the South West side of the house and is accessible from all reception rooms. The curved terrace raised above the garden and accessed from the kitchen provides a perfect space for outdoor entertaining with an elevated outlook over the grounds. Steps lead from the terrace down to a formal lawned garden, tiered over two levels, with a South-westerly orientation. The trees in the garden provide an arboretum with Cypress, Nordic Pine, Wingnut, Paulina, Japanese Maple, Hornbeam, Walnut, Green and Copper Beech, variegated Box, Yew, Oak, Ash and Cherry trees all providing a magnificent display of blossom and colour throughout the year. A productive orchard provides heritage variety apples, damsons, pears and plums as well as hazel nuts and walnuts. Previously in the ownership of a botanist, the garden is stocked with an abundance of flowers and plants, many rare and unusual. The formal gardens lead down to a wild meadow, with a further arbour covered patio seating area. A walled vegetable garden stocked with fruit bushes, espalier trees and grape vine also includes raised vegetable beds and a cut flower garden. The garden is bounded by mature trees on all sides and abuts agricultural meadow at the rear, offering total privacy and seclusion.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

South Oxfordshire District Council. Tax band G. Gas fired central heating with separate immersion. All mains services. Intruder alarm.

BUYERS INFORMATION
To conform with government Money Laundering Regulations 2019, we are required to confirm the identity of all prospective buyers. We use the services of a third party, Lifetime Legal, who will contact you directly at an agreed time to do this. They will need the full name, date of birth and current address of all buyers. There is a nominal charge of £60 including VAT for this (for the transaction not per person), payable direct to Lifetime Legal. Please note, we are unable to issue a memorandum of sale until the checks are complete.
 

REFERRAL FEES
We may refer you to recommended providers of ancillary services such as Conveyancing, Financial Services, Insurance and Surveying. We may receive a commission payment fee or other benefit (known as a referral fee) for recommending their services. You are not under any obligation to use the services of the recommended provider. The ancillary service provider may be an associated company of Davis Tate. (Not applicable to the Woodley branch – please contact directly for further information).