Nightingale Lane, Reading, RG7

South Hill is set within attractive gardens of circa nine and a half acres, situated among beautiful countryside. The house, which was constructed in the 1900s, is classically Victorian, though there has been a property on the site since 1775 and it was previously a small farm, with many of the outbuildings now transformed for residential use. This includes extensive garaging and stores, with the former stable block converted into a self-contained annexe – perfect for visiting guests, an au pair, older children or grandparents, making the house ideal for multi-generational living. The leisure facilities include a tennis court set within the landscaped gardens and an indoor swimming pool. The vendors have undertaken a programme of extensive improvements including a stylish kitchen, new roof, new windows and boiler, renovation to the marble floors and cosmetic redecoration within the main house and the cottage.
The main house is elegantly appointed in a traditional style which complements the residency, married with more modern attributes. Premium materials were used to great effect throughout, such as limestone and marble
flooring, granite work surfaces in the kitchen, solid wood panelling and ornate fireplaces. The formal rooms are traditionally appointed for entertaining, while the family rooms are more informal and designed for relaxation.
An imposing first impression is provided by the expansive entrance hall, with its chandelier, wood-burning stove and ornate staircase. There are two reception rooms at the front of the house: a dining room and drawing room,
with a study at the rear. The kitchen and breakfast room are bright and welcoming, with useful storage including a pantry, wine cellar and laundry room. A boot room links the main house to the leisure wing, where there is a stunning indoor swimming pool with changing facilities
and showers. Upstairs, the principal bedroom is a vast room with an en suite bathroom featuring a freestanding bath and separate shower. The four remaining bedrooms are all of generous size and there is a family bathroom with freestanding bath and shower, alongside
a separate toilet. The detached annexe is entirely self-contained and comprises a kitchen, sitting room, two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

Outside

A secluded entrance leads up to the house, with a gravel driveway winding between trees to a large gravel parking area to the front. The setting is very private, with electric gates, CCTV, an alarm system and intercom for peace of mind. The grounds extend to over nine and a half acres and are beautifully landscaped, using the natural landscape of trees, shrubs and rolling grassland alongside extensive planting. There’s a large pond crossed by a wooden bridge, a paddock, a tennis court towards the rear, summer house, expansive lawns and a vast terrace adjoining the back of the house bordered by box topiary and loggia. Within a gated walled garden, a sheltered kitchen garden features a number of raised planters and borders made from sleepers, and there is a courtyard next to the house which has access to the mower store, stables, garaging and annexe. Recent improvements to the exterior include a new roof, fascias, soffits and gutters, restoration of the walled garden and terrace, new perimeter fences and gates, and a new fence around the rear paddock.

Situation

Mortimer Common is a village situated approximately eight miles southwest of Reading. Surrounded by green spaces all around, though still with excellent access to road connections and amenities. The village has pubs, a café, bistro and a primary school, with a station situated just east of the village which links to London and the South West via Reading. The larger village of Burghfield Common has village stores, a petrol station, vet surgery, pharmacy and leisure centre, with the major centres of Basingstoke and Reading providing a full range of shopping and recreational amenities. Reading offers a station with fast commuter services to London Paddington in around 27 minutes, plus high street shopping and department stores, sporting and leisure facilities and larger supermarkets. The M4 and M3 can be easily accessed for travel towards London and its
airports or the West Country. Educational needs are well served, with local state schools in the neighbouring villages. There are a good range of independent schools nearby, including Crossfields, Ludgrove, St Neots, Daneshill, Bradfield, Elstree and the highly regarded state and independent schools in Reading.

Additional Information

West Berkshire Council. Council tax band H.
Services: Mains water and electricity are supplied to the property. Oil-fired central heating. Private treatment plant, back up generator.