74 Fernbank Road, ASCOT

The Story

With a desire to put down roots and bring up a family in a convenient location, the current owners leaped at the chance to buy Holly Grove 26 years ago. They loved the space, character and flexibility of the semi-detached, red-brick property and knew it was exactly what they were looking for. “I was actually away when my wife first went to look at the house and because she said it would be perfect for us we decided that she would offer the asking price before I’d even had a chance to look at it,” Neil recalls. “It was a large house, with a lovely flow to it and it had a good-sized garden. It was also in a perfect location for us, with good access to schools, shops, the high street and train station, as well as everything else a family needs.”

Spacious Living

Dating back to 1905, the property was one of a handful in Ascot built by the Bannister stone masons. The master stone mason himself was still living in one of the handsome, semi-detached properties when the current owners moved into Holly Grove. “In 1987, a two-storey extension was carried out,” Neil explains. “This substantially increased both the living and bedroom space at the house. A long sitting room was added downstairs; this was opened up into the dining room to create an open-plan, L-shaped area. Two more bedrooms were created upstairs, making this into a four-bedroom house.”

Beautiful Interiors

Since moving in, the current owners have enhanced the property throughout. They installed a new kitchen 13 years ago, added a ground-floor cloakroom and built a beautiful new terrace. “We also replaced the conservatory, giving it a blue glass roof, which makes it useable all year round, especially in the summer months,” Neil says. “We updated the windows and central heating and had a thick engineered oak floor laid downstairs, which looks beautiful and enhances the flow of the layout.” This part of the house was also redecorated in Farrow & Ball’s exquisite Stiffkey Blue, adding style and sophistication while complementing the white paintwork of the original fireplaces, skirting boards and coving.

Home and Garden

Holly Grove is entered via a long, Victorian-style hall, which opens into a study or snug to the front of the house. Beyond this is the original dining room, which now opens into the magnificent, living area. “We had bi-folding doors installed here and we love the sense of indoor-outdoor living they have provided us with,” Neil admits. “I like to sit inside beside the doors in the summer while the rest of the family is outside in the sunshine. We can listen to music and chat and there is still a sense of being together.” This part of the house also leads to the cloakroom and the kitchen. Beyond the kitchen, there is a lobby and then the conservatory. “This is a very relaxing space, which has underfloor heating,” he says. “It is nice to lie on the sofa, with the French windows open, looking out to the garden. This is also where we gather when we have visitors.”

Unique Appeal

All four bedrooms are up on the top floor of the house. The large family bathroom is also at this level. “For me, each of the bedrooms has a unique appeal,” he suggests. “The master bedroom is a large room, with a window to the front. The other bedrooms are also lovely, especially our daughter’s room, which has really been transformed by the way we redecorated it after she went off to university.” The outbuilding at the end of the garden, which is a generous size, encompasses storage space and a home office. This could have a variety of uses, from a work area to a gym or teenagers’ den. “I don’t think it was until lockdown that I really appreciated just how flexible this house is,” Neil says. “I was able to be out here working, while everyone else was in different parts of the house. We all had individual space and it worked well.”

Leafy Surroundings

During lockdown, the family also appreciated all the green, open space about them. “There are so many pockets of woodland and other places we can walk to without even getting into the car,” he says. “One of the main reasons for buying this house was its location – and we haven’t been disappointed. We are in the catchment area for Ascot Heath and Charters and we have enjoyed the sense of community there is here too.” He adds: “We have been very happy at this house and know the next owners will be too. We are only the fourth or fifth family to live here and there is such a nice vibe to the place as soon as you step inside.

Setting the scene

To the front, Holly Grove is set back from the road by a generous driveway. To the rear, it opens on to a terrace which has been ideal for barbecues and outdoor entertaining. There is a lawn bordered by mature shrubs. To the rear of the garden, there is a home office or studio

Agents Note

Bracknell Forest

Tax Band F

Freehold.

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.