Streatley Hill, Streatley

Located in an elevated position within the central “Conservation Area” of this delightful Thames side
village with wonderful far reaching views across to the Chilterns, sitting in total privacy. Easily
accessible for the village school, High Street shops and extensive amenities, as well as a mainline
railway station providing access to London Paddington in under the hour, and for delightful
riverside and country walks.

Description - Ashcote House is an individually designed property. Having been in the same ownership for over 30 years, it has been redesigned, extended and upgraded by the owners to offer extensive accommodation in a wonderful setting. With tiled and rendered
elevations alongside red brickwork, it is an attractive and unique house.

Entrance is into a porch area with double doors then leading into a large reception hall with cloakroom, 2 cupboards and stair access.
The sitting room features wood panelling which came from the Vice Chancellor’s Study at John Moores University Liverpool and a Victorian Gold Medal Eagle Grate fireplace, making for a stunning room.
There are 2 sets of French doors and then further doors take you through to the dining room which also has garden access.
The kitchen breakfast room features a handmade kitchen with granite worktops, designed by Pewsey Vale Cabinet Makers.
Windows overlook the gardens in front and the room wraps around with a cleverly designed round seating area plus larder.
There is a separate utility room which has the boiler and then back door to the garage.

The garage is a larger than average space with clear roof offering plenty of light.
From the kitchen is a further reception room, currently being used as a gym. This room, along with the family room which is next door could easily become a self-contained “annexe” as it has an ensuite shower.

As the garage is on the other side of the wall, there is scope to extend into this area for further living accommodation, if required.

Upstairs, the landing showcases ornate iron Baluster which originated from The Station Hotel in Liverpool.
The main bedroom is found to the further end of the house and a doorway leads through to the main bedroom, bedroom 6 and bathroom.
An entire suite can be formed, by turning the current Bedroom 6 into a dressing room to the main bedroom.
A large bathroom with bath and separate shower serves both these rooms.
The main bedroom has a stunning balcony with views across to the Chilterns and countryside beyond.
There is a second bedroom with ensuite next door with picture windows and French doors allowing for balcony access also.
3 further double bedrooms and a family bathroom complete the upstairs and all bedrooms have air conditioning /heating systems.

Situation - The picturesque village of Streatley on Thames lies in a wide valley on the Berkshire side of the river between Reading and Oxford, opposite Goring on the Oxfordshire bank with the surrounding countryside designated an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.
Historically the two villages are located at a natural crossing point of the river, set between the Berkshire Downs and Chiltern Hills, known geographically as the ‘Goring Gap’ where the ancient Ridgeway path comes down to meet the river after its long journey across the Berkshire Downlands before continuing up onto the Chiltern Hills and the Icknield Way.
The interesting High Street, which forms the central part of the village running down to the river and the bridge over to Goring, is now a ‘Conservation Area’ with a wealth of period properties many of considerable architectural merit including a thatched cottage, a beautiful William and Mary house and an Elizabethan Farmhouse.
The village has a parish church with Norman origins, “The Swan” a luxury 4 star riverside hotel also offering a leisure and fitness club, and at the top of the High Street is the Bull Inn being an old coaching inn from the era when the Royal Mail stopped en route from London to Oxford. There is also a prestigious Golf Club, established over 100 years ago, set amidst beautiful rolling countryside. Streatley has a highly rated Primary School with a separate Nursery and is also is in the catchment area for the much acclaimed Downs Secondary school in Compton.

Across the river, the larger village of Goring on Thames offers a wide range of amenities and facilities including shops, modern health centre, traditional inns, choice of restaurants, Gourmet Deli, a riverside café, “Boutique” hotel, library, dentist and importantly a main line railway station providing excellent commuter services to Reading and up to London (Paddington) in under the hour and with connections for the future Crossrail services into central London.
Behind Streatley the ground rises steeply where the Berkshire Downlands meet the Thames Valley and from the top there are panoramic views far into Oxfordshire.
The woodland and hills surrounding Streatley have been acquired in recent years by the National Trust and there are extensive bridleways and footpaths open to the public.

Outside - Approached off Streatley Hill, there is a driveway owned by Ashcote leading up to the property and a couple of other individual property’s. This driveway belongs to Ashcote, with access rights allowed. Gates then take you into the private grounds and tree lined driveway leads up to the property and extensive garaging.
With just under 2 acres of grounds there are several areas which can be enjoyed. A beautiful decorative paved terrace with fountain sits at the side of the property offering stunning views across the Chilterns and a wonderful opportunity for “al fresco” dining. There is also a covered terrace which wraps around the kitchen and dining room, perfect for enjoying the outside lifestyle. Gravelled paths weave through the gardens amongst the lawn and bountiful borders, leading to all the outdoor rooms, which include an orangery with attached greenhouse and workshop and a large games room.
There is a pond and also a wooded area alongside an enclosed vegetable garden with fruit cage and irrigation system.
Rainwater harvesting tank of 7,500 litres and multiple rainwater collection butts around the garden.

The potting and tractor shed sit alongside and the hen house is close by. An adjoining paddock gives access to the listed Dovecote. From the Tudor era, the Dovecote is a beautiful brick and flint building. The vast grounds complement the property and offer an abundance of seating areas to sit and enjoy in privacy and seclusion.

An early viewing is highly recommended.

Garaging - Located under the side terrace is extensive and very unique underground garaging. Providing secure parking for 10/12 cars and an inspection pit, it is a huge asset to the property.
With a utility room and cloakroom, it is fully alarmed and has its own heating system. It can also provide an alternative use, such as a gym, games room or recording studio. Large front sliding doors open almost fully with an additional single door and there are 2 further doors, one which has steps up to the top terrace and other which takes you out to the kitchen garden area.