West Mills, Newbury, RG14

Enjoy the best of all worlds with this charming Grade II listed 3-bedroom cottage, right in the heart of town.

Dating back to the early 1800s, 20 West Mills is a ‘new’ house on the street – its neighbour is one of Newbury’s oldest buildings, dating back to the 1400s.

Combining period beams and a wealth of character with central heating and a positive input ventilation (PIV) system, this cottage offers modern comfort with period charm. Add the beautiful canal-side setting, opposite the swing bridge and old granary, a courtyard garden and allocated off-road parking, and you have a very rare gem of a find.

Entrance hall
The front door opens into a wide, welcoming hallway with a pretty alcove and plenty of space for a hall table, bookcase, coat rack and bench with shoe storage.

The hall is a quirky shape that gives you scope to furnish in the way that suits you and your lifestyle. We understand there's a false wall which, if removed, would provide space for the installation of a downstairs loo.

From the hall you have the sitting room, kitchen diner and stairs up to the first floor. You also have valuable storage space in the hallway and below stairs cupboards.

Sitting room
This charming, characterful and nicely proportioned room has beams and a wood-burning stove within a large brick hearth, making it perfect for cosy winter nights in.

Pretty sash windows on two sides fill the room with natural light and give enviable views over the Kennet & Avon Canal, so you can keep an eye on the swans and their cygnets as they glide by.

Kitchen diner
The light, bright kitchen has a glazed door into the courtyard garden and a sash window giving views over the canal to the front, providing a wonderfully cooling flow of air on warm days.

The layout and proportions mean you’ve space to introduce a kitchen table or breakfast bar, making this kitchen diner a delightful space to spend time in.

Walls are part-tiled in a brick bond pattern. The plentiful counter is solid wood and can be revitalised when needed with a light sanding and a coat of wax, to stay looking great for years to come.

Drawers, wall and floor cabinets have a cream finish with steel handles.

Within the kitchen you have a flush 4-ring hob, an under-counter oven, 1½ bowl stainless steel sink with drainer, built-in dishwasher and space for a larder-style fridge freezer. All illuminated by natural light and recessed ceiling lights.

UPSTAIRS
A window fills the stairs and landing with natural light.

Principal bedroom
This generously proportioned room has sliding sash windows on two sides, giving captivating views of the canal, old granary and historic timbered buildings of West Mills.

Within the room you've space for a free-standing wardrobe, chest of drawers or perhaps a dressing table. There's also a built-in cupboard - with electric UFH.

Second bedroom
Another double bedroom with lovely canal views. This room has built-in storage and a hatch into the loft above.

Third bedroom
With south-facing sliding sash windows filling the room with natural light and giving views over the courtyard garden, this would make a great home office, nursery or child’s bedroom.

It could also serve as a dressing room, creating an even more tranquil, sanctuary-like feel for one or both double bedrooms.

Family bathroom
Contrasting feature tiles make a stylish addition to this fully tiled bathroom. This is a wonderfully calm and relaxing space to lie back and soak in the tub or enjoy an enlivening shower – with shampoos and gels kept close to hand in the tiled recess.

The shower is over the bath, with easy-to-reach wall-mounted thermostatic controls, a shower screen and a large wall-arm shower head. There’s also a second handset next to the tap.

There’s also a chrome heated ladder-style radiator for warms dry towels, a back-to-cabinet loo, smart vanity-topped basin and recessed lighting for a stylish, contemporary family bathroom.

Outside
The courtyard garden is south-facing and a delightful suntrap – perfect for your morning coffee, alfresco lunch and evening sundowner or barbecue with family and friends.

A blank canvas, the courtyard is ready to become whatever garden you choose – perhaps Mediterranean-inspired with plenty of flower-filled pots, or maybe ultra-modern and minimalist to juxtapose the historic building.

Stone paving ensures it's wonderfully low maintenance. A planted border adds a splash of green and interest. A small shed provides useful storage, and a gate leads out to the communal gravelled area and the parking.

Parking
Your allocated parking space is in the communal off-street parking area. This is behind the courtyard garden, with easy access through the garden gate. You’re also eligible to apply for a street parking permit and there are two shared visitor spaces.

Situation
West Mills, located in the heart of one of the oldest parts of town, is of historic and archaeological interest – there have been mills here since the 1400s and possibly even before this.

The centre of town is a short stroll away, either across the swing bridge and along the canal towpath or via West Mills past St Nicholas Church. Once in town, you have a smorgasbord of shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, arts and music venues, social centres, gyms and parks.

Stroll in the other direction and you'll find Northcroft Lido and miles of unspoilt, nature-rich countryside.

Travel a little further and you have golf courses, horse riding, canoeing and athletics tracks, the unique Watermill Theatre and The Living Rainforest, Newbury Racecourse and some world-renowned stretches of chalk stream river for the fishing enthusiast.

The town is divided by the Kennet & Avon Canal, and has large green open spaces that include Victoria Park and Goldwell Park, with Greenham Common just up the road.

Good to know
20 West Mills has no onward chain, making it ready for a quick sale and to be moved into and enjoyed without delay.

Doors are all brace and ledge with period-style latches.

Transport links
Connections by road include the M4, A4, A34 and A339, making Southbrook House easily commutable from London, Bristol, Oxford, Basingstoke and many other hubs.

The railway station is a short walk away, linking you to London, Cardiff in the west and via Reading, with the Elizabeth line, to most of the country including Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Schooling
According to the West Berkshire Council website, the schools within the catchment area are:

Primary: St John the Evangelist Nursery & Infant School, St Nicolas Church of England Junior School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
Secondary: St Bartholomew’s School

In addition, there’s a wide range of private schooling available, which includes: Cheam, Elstree, Downe House, St. Gabriel’s, Brockhurst & Marlston House, Horris Hill, Marlborough College and Bradfield College.

Services
Heating and hot water are mains gas fired.
Mains water and sewerage.

Connectivity
Broadband, according to Openreach, is FTTC (fibre to the cabinet), available at speeds of up to 76Mbps with FTTP (fibre to the premises) due to be built by December 2026.
Mobile, according to Vodafone, is a ‘Good indoors and outdoors’ 5G and 5G ultra service.

Council
The local authority is West Berkshire Council.
Council Tax band D

Tenure
Freehold.
There is an estate charge for maintenance of the communal areas. This is currently £200pa.

EPC rating: C. Tenure: Freehold,