Farnborough, Wantage, Berkshire

INTRODUCTION
Originally dating from 1855, Lands End Cottage has been sympathetically restored and updated by successive owners and is now a modern and generously proportioned family home.

Lying just outside the small village of Farnborough, approximately 6 miles south of Wantage, it is within easy reach of the A34 and M4, as well as rail connections to London from Didcot and Newbury, yet it benefits from a truly idyllic rural setting. Surrounded by stunning open countryside ideal for walking, riding or cycling, and with far-reaching views in every direction, Lands End Cottage is a haven of tranquillity for anyone who truly loves the wide-open spaces of the Berkshire Downs.

On the Ground Floor
One enters the front of the house through a useful brick-built porch with date stone above marking the origin of the house in 1855. Passing into the stone-flagged hallway, to the left is one of two downstairs cloakrooms, and directly ahead the cosy sitting room, with log-burner. Paired double glazed doors then open into a large conservatory with views over the west-facing rear garden.

Returning to the Sitting room, one passes into the Dining room beside the now exposed chimney stack and open fireplace, which form a central feature of these two adjoining rooms. Paired patio doors give access to the terrace outside, and a further door leads back to the hallway and the Study, and then at the end of the hall the spacious Breakfast Kitchen/Family room which looks out over the garden.

The breakfast kitchen is a bright and modern space with elegant Shaker-style units and a central island with Corian worktop incorporating a secondary food prep sink. A traditional range cooker is the magnificent focus to the room, with adjacent electric hob and twin eye-level electric ovens and grill completing the full complement of appliances. A glazed door gives access to the terrace, with a further internal door leading to a small rear lobby and the sizeable utility room, a second cloakroom, and the back door leading to the outside.

Upstairs
A splendid oak staircase leads up to the first floor, where there are five well-proportioned bedrooms, and the family bathroom. Bedroom 1 is a spacious dual-aspect room with views to the west over the garden and north up to the Ridgeway. In addition to twin floor-to-ceiling built-in storage units it has a large walk-in wardrobe, and a full-size en suite with bath and twin hand basins.

Bedroom 2 also has an en suite shower room and like Bedroom 4 enjoys lovely west-facing views over the garden to the rear of the house. Bedroom 3, also very generously proportioned and again of dual aspect, and Bedroom 5, both overlook the front of the house.

There is a loft hatch with folding ladder giving access to the attic space, which is boarded and lit, with power supply.


OUTSIDE
Access to the property is via paired farm gates leading into a gravelled parking area with ample space for 3-4 vehicles. The house stands within a plot of just over half an acre, the garden to the front of the house secluded by trees and tall hedges, and planted with a variety of shrubs. The rear garden is laid mainly to lawn, with a selection of fruit trees including apple, pear, damson, cherry and plum, which provide a delightful display of blossom in the spring.

There is a paved terrace, perfect for dining, entertaining or merely relaxing, and the magnificent west-facing views across the fields towards the village of Farnborough itself frequently frame the most glorious sunsets.

Beside the house is a modern brick-built double garage/workshop, adjoining which are two further double garages, affording ample secure storage for several vehicles or garden equipment. There is also a timber tool shed.

LOCATION
Farnborough is a small, peaceful village on the edge of the Berkshire Downs, in the North Wessex Downs AONB. Lands End Cottage is situated approximately 1 mile from the village, in the midst of glorious countryside offering stunning views in every direction. Surrounded by rolling farmland this is an idyllic location, perfect for walking, cycling and riding. There is a track leading up to the Ridgeway immediately adjacent to the property.

The nearby village of West Ilsley has thriving cricket and tennis clubs, as well as a popular village pub, The Harrow. Further afield, The Ibex Inn at Chaddleworth offer locals a wider choice of dining options. A wide range of shops and services can be found in Wantage and also Newbury.

The A34 is less than 3.5 miles distant and gives access to the wider road and motorway network. Fast rail connections to London Paddington are available from Didcot (travel time approx. 40 mins).

Farnborough is also just 4.5 miles from the village of Chilton and the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, home of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the Diamond Light Source Synchrotron, and one of Europe’s most advanced research facilities.

There is an excellent village primary school at nearby Brightwalton, and parents have a choice of good state secondary schools locally, notably the highly-regarded Downs School in Compton, and King Alfred’s School in Wantage. Independent schools within easy reach include Cranford School at Moulsford, and Downe House at Thatcham, while a little further away Abingdon offers a range of schools for boys and girls of all ages. In addition, the numerous internationally-famous schools of Oxford itself are also within easy reach.

TRAVEL
Wantage 6.1 miles (9.8 km)
Newbury 12.5 miles (20.1 km)
Oxford 19.2 miles (35.1 km)
London Paddington
(from Didcot 9.1 miles) 40 mins direct
M4 (Jct 13) 9 miles (14.5 km)