Burghfield Common, Reading, Berkshire

CULVERLANDS
Dating from the early 18th century, Culverlands is Grade II listed for its architectural and historic significance. This well-preserved country house sits beautifully within its grounds, offering exceptional privacy and far-reaching views across the estate. The striking Georgian exterior is complemented by a wealth of original features, including open fireplaces, high ceilings, ornate cornicing, large sash windows, deep skirting boards, a leaded fanlight above the front door, working shutters and parquet flooring. The current owners have undertaken extensive improvements, including the renewal of bathrooms and the kitchen.
From the entrance porch, Culverlands is entered through the large reception hall, which leads to a triple aspect drawing room and an equally impressive dining room, both with far-reaching views and access to the terraces and gardens. The recently renewed kitchen is fully equipped and opens onto the rear terrace through the glazed breakfast room. Further ground floor rooms include a family TV room, study, WC and utility room, with an office, with separate WC, accessed to the rear of the house. A sweeping staircase leads to the first floor, where there is the principal bedroom suite, as well as three further bedroom suites, separate bedroom and family shower room. The second floor offers a large cinema room, a further bedroom and sitting room, as well as a shower room and gym. The extensive cellar provides full height rooms with original features and extensive storage, a 3,000 bottle wine cellar and the boiler room.

THE LODGE
At the foot of the drive, next to the entrance gates, The Lodge is a single storey cottage, with two reception rooms, two bedrooms, a kitchen and shower room. The Lodge has its own small garden.

GARDENS & GROUNDS
Culverlands is approached by a sweeping drive, with a paddock and pond to one side and woodland to the other. The formal gardens to the south and east include terraced lawns framed by mature rhododendrons and an array of established parkland trees. A sunken tennis court lies beyond the main lawn, leading to a water feature and pavilion with far-reaching views, across the vineyard, estate land and countryside beyond. To the northeast of the house is the heated swimming pool with large breeze-house and pizza oven. There is a large L-shaped stable block within the courtyard, next to the house, which comprises eight stables, tack room and hay store. There are also three tractor barns and adjoining the house there are two garages.

THE LAND
The fields comprise level pasture and arable land enclosed by mature hedges, trees and woodland. The mature broadleaved woodland has been well managed over the years by the current owner who has carried out extensive tree planting. Much of the extensive grassland is planted within a Countryside Stewardship Scheme, combining herbal leys and wild bird seed planting, which also provide good cover for the family shoot. There is a good network of tracks throughout the land.

THE VINEYARD
The 15.5 acre vineyard was planted in May 2022 with seven different grape varieties creating a total of 25,937 vines. A breakdown of the varieties is shown in the table below. The vision behind the vineyard is the pursuit of creating award winning wines and already, even in these early years, strong yields are being achieved. The vineyard is now coming into full production, and offers the potential for a purchaser to employ a contract wine maker to produce their own range of sparkling or still wines, or to focus on the growing and sale of premium grapes to the growing English wine sector. The vineyard is completely deer fenced and is supported by a set of open sided buildings providing onsite storage for equipment and machinery. The estate employs a full-time vineyard manager, on an operation-by-operation basis, with additional labour bought in for key work at pruning or harvest.

SITUATION
Culverlands is positioned on the edge of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape with far-reaching views across the surrounding Berkshire countryside. Burghfield Common is a village offering a convenient selection of everyday shops and amenities. For a wider choice of retail, dining, leisure and entertainment options, The Oracle in Reading and Festival Place in Basingstoke are both easily accessible by car. Transport links are excellent. Theale mainline station is around 3.5 miles away and Reading station about 7 miles, providing regular high-speed trains to London Paddington with journey times from 35 minutes and 23 minutes, respectively. Junction 11 of the M4 is roughly 4 miles distant, offering swift connections to London (45 miles), Heathrow Airport (32 miles) and the West Country. The area is renowned for its outstanding leisure facilities. Nearby golf courses include Sunningdale, Wentworth, The Berkshire, as well as Wokingham and Wokefield Park. Racegoers can enjoy events at Ascot, Newbury and Windsor, while Henley Rowing Club—home of the Royal Henley Regatta—is only a short drive away. The surrounding countryside also offers extensive footpaths and bridleways. There is an excellent selection of prep and public schools in the area, including Elstree, Cheam, Daneshill, St Gabriel’s, Radley College, Bradfield College, Winchester College, Pangbourne College, St Andrews School Berkshire, Reading Blue Coat School and Wellington College.