Whitehall Lane, Checkendon, Reading, Oxfordshire, RG8

Michaelmas Cottage was built in 2007 to a high standard by a well-regarded local builder. The quality of the finish is excellent, featuring oak flooring and bespoke plasterwork in the reception rooms.

Upon entering, you are welcomed by a spacious hallway that leads to the reception rooms, kitchen, and stairs to the first floor. The double-aspect sitting room features two French windows that open on to the rear terrace, along with an open fireplace that has a log-burning stove. The property benefits greatly from a spacious kitchen/family room that runs the full length of the property. The kitchen is equipped with a range of floor and wall units, an integrated dishwasher, a butler sink, a gas hob with an extractor above, three ovens, a warming drawer, and a fridge/freezer. There is ample space for a seating area at one end of the kitchen with a log burner and bi-fold doors that open to the terrace, ensuring it works perfectly for family living. Additionally, there is a light-filled study/family room to the front of the house and a separate cloakroom with WC.

The stairs lead to the first floor, which features a superb landing area providing access to the principal bedroom, complete with a range of built-in wardrobes and an en suite shower room. The guest bedroom also has an en suite shower, while there are two further double bedrooms, all featuring built-in wardrobes, alongside a family bathroom. All rooms offer lovely views of the gardens and countryside. The bathrooms have underfloor heating.

At the front of the property, there is a spacious garden featuring a mix of block paving and gravel areas, with ample space for several cars. A gravel driveway runs down the side of the property, leading to a stable and a garage/barn at the rear.

From the sitting room, garden room, and dining room, you can access a charming stone terrace that wraps around the house and into the garden. There is a designated area for al fresco dining and seating, bordered by a beautiful variety of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and hedging. The garden includes a lawn that leads to a detached self-contained studio, which is equipped with underfloor heating, a selection of wall and floor units, a Belfast sink and a shower room with a WC and stairs to the bedroom/studio. A side entrance gives access to the annexe, and here are also French doors opening on to the gravel courtyard.

To the rear of the property is a wonderful, stable/barn building comprising three stables, a tack room/bedroom with a shower room, and a double garage. A 2-acre paddock lies below the stable block that has been split into paddocks, one with a field shelter, which makes this a lovely equestrian property with access directly from the paddock to a bridleway. Part of the paddock is fenced to create a vegetable garden and a small orchard area with a chicken coup. The perfect property for country life living.

Michaelmas Cottage is set in the heart of the village of Checkendon on the edge of the Chilterns, which is surrounded by the most glorious countryside. The village has a thriving pre-school and primary school, a village hall and a 12th-century church. In the village is the Black Horse public house, and in nearby Exlade Street is the Highwayman pub/restaurant. In Stoke Row, there is a garage, a village shop/café, and the highly regarded Crooked Billet and Cherry Tree restaurants. The towns of Wallingford and Henley-on-Thames, both situated on the River Thames, offer extensive shopping, recreational and educational facilities.

There is a mainline train service from Goring and Streatley station (via Reading) to London Paddington. The major commercial centres of Oxford and Reading are easily accessible, which in turn gives access to the M4 (J12) and M40.

The surrounding countryside enjoys miles of outstanding riding and walking, and can be accessed directly from the paddock.

The area is well served for schools, including The Oratory School and The Oratory Prep School, Rupert House Preparatory School, Gillott's School, Radley College, Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning, St Helen and St Katharine in Abingdon and Abingdon School.