The Avenue, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, SL8

A beautiful Edwardian character home on the highly sought-after Abbotsbrook Estate close to the river Thames, with exquisite gardens and spacious accommodation.

Description

One of the largest and most impressive homes on the Abbotsbrook Estate, Priory Ford was built in 1904 and offers substantial accommodation of more than 7,600 sq ft across two floors. The handsome Edwardian home has a wonderfully secluded setting, situated on ‘The Avenue’, one of the area’s best roads, adjacent to the charming ford which permits vehicles to cross the stream. Both inside and out the home is a fabulous example of Edwardian architecture, and, despite a number of alterations including extensions and a complete and thorough renovation in the early 2000s, the house retains a huge amount of character and a wealth of original features. Most notable are the original stained-glass windows, the exquisite wood panelling and built-in seating in the reception hall and drawing room, the hand-turned staircase and a number of fireplaces with intricate stone and wood detailing.

With its substantial floor plan and traditional layout, the house ideal for entertaining, and offers a choice of five reception rooms meaning plenty of space for friends and family to gather for big celebrations, dinners and game nights. On the ground floor, the inviting reception hall provides a striking first impression before leading through to a formal dining room and a separate drawing room – the reception rooms span the front of the house, looking out onto the gardens, creating a wonderful space for entertaining. To the rear of the house there is a large snooker room, adjoining a large utility room with ample storage and space for laundry machines. On the opposite side of the house is the generously proportioned extended kitchen, which, together with its open plan breakfast/sitting room and separate adjoining family room, affords a fabulous informal living space for relaxing in as a family. The kitchen is a highlight, featuring handmade Johnny Grey Studio cabinetry, premium appliances including a boiling water tap, Viking range oven and Sub Zero fridge/freezer.

Upstairs the accommodation is equally spacious, with the principal suite providing a truly exceptional space in which to relax. The bedroom has a private balcony with beautiful southerly views over the garden, and leads to a vanity area, en suite bathroom and dressing room, with a private study across the hall. Three of the additional bedrooms are en suite, with two further bedrooms sharing a bathroom, ‘jack and jill’ style, making it ideal for children. Accessed via a separate staircase from the rear of the house there are two double bedrooms and a shower room, away from the rest of the accommodation making it well suited to guest use.

The house has been well maintained with many of the preserved original features having been restored by the vendor. Internally it is well presented to a high standard with attractive décor that suits the age and style of the house; there is great potential for further modernisation.

Priory Ford is set within attractively landscaped gardens, which are stocked with a wide variety of mature trees and shrubs, flowerbeds and hedging, the result of which provides an exceptionally private and secluded plot that enjoys a high degree of solitude. The setting, on the banks of a stream which feeds into the river Thames about 400 metres to the south, is truly idyllic: the sound of the water, the natural privacy afforded by the huge variety of established trees around the boundary, and the different textures and colours throughout the garden, combine to create a truly exceptional outside space that has been beautifully maintained over the years. Through clever use of landscaping, the garden is parcelled into a number of outside ‘rooms’ which flow onto each other, including a courtyard area perfect for entertaining, areas of lawn, terraces and space for parking.

Access to the water is afforded by a private mooring, with The Upper Thames Sailing Club and the attached Bourne End Marina less than half a mile distant, for more committed sailors. Separate to the boat house there are a number of outbuildings presented excellent potential for further development: within the garden, accessed by a footbridge and overlooking lawns, there is a very charming detached thatched boat house, with storage on the lower floor and a first-floor space with a balcony that offers a variety of uses. The garage, separate to the main house, has space for two vehicles and three storage areas on the ground floor, with a self-contained studio flat with shower room and kitchen/living/bedroom above that would be ideal for an au pair or housekeeper. There is a large gravel driveway between the garage and the main house, providing ample off-street parking for a number of cars, which is accessed via electric gates.

Location

The Abbotsbrook Estate is a highly desirable private estate in Bourne End, adjacent to Bourne End Marina, which offers the convenience of a village-centre location. It is beautifully landscaped and tree-lined, with streams that meander through picturesque residential lanes and provide direct access to the river Thames. The estate is managed by its residents and provides a wonderful environment, especially for families.

Popular with London commuters, young families and retirees alike, Bourne End’s amenities include shops, restaurants and pubs, including a station to London Paddington (via connection at Maidenhead).

The nearby towns of Beaconsfield, Marlow and Maidenhead offer wider shopping and facilities, with an eclectic mix of independent and national retailers. The village nestles in glorious rolling green belt countryside in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Outdoor pursuits are numerous, such as sailing, rowing, golf, football, cricket and rugby. Schooling around the area is renowned with a number of state, grammar and private options.

For commuters, Bourne End station provides a superb link to Maidenhead, with London Paddington accessible in as little as 40 minutes. Maidenhead (11 mins from Bourne End station) with Crossrail services, provides a superb link to The City and Canary Wharf. The M40 London-bound is accessed at Junction 3, four miles away; the M4 is about eight miles away at J7.

Square Footage: 9,257 sq ft



Directions

From Bourne End station head northwest on Station Road and at the mini roundabout take the first exit onto The Parade. Continue straight on and after a short distance turn left onto the private Abbotsbrook Estate, via Oakfield Road. Take the second right onto Lock Bridge Road and then turn right onto The Avenue, where the house will be found on the left-hand side after the ford.

Additional Info

All mains services