Red Shute Hill, Thatcham, RG18

The Way House is a handsome, detached 1930s family home with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, two-thirds of an acre of mature garden backing onto Downe House School’s woodland. Between Cold Ash and Curridge, 5 mins from the M4, with excellent private schools close by.

Location
Red Shute Hill is an old road that runs between Curridge and Cold Ash, on the outskirts of Newbury in West Berkshire.

Property
Set back from the road behind a fence and mature hedge, The Way House feels wonderfully private and secluded without being out on its own.

The large block-paved drive comfortably accommodates six or more cars.

The Way House was built toward the end of the 1920s for the first owner, Robin Milford, a respected composer and at the time, the music teacher at Downe House School. Milford studied under Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams at the Royal College of Music and was a close friend of Gerald Finzi.

Whilst clearly a large house at nearly 4,000 square feet, it doesn’t feel cavernous inside, instead feeling nicely homely.

“It’s such a nice quality, solid, airy house. That's exactly what we like about it. We bought it for the bones, then we did up the inside."

“In the bathrooms upstairs, there’s a solid marble floor and walls, everything in there is solid."

This is a welcoming country home, from the storm porch that shelters you, visitors and packages from the elements, through to the end of the long garden with its gate into the woodland beyond.

Hallway
The warm welcome begins at the front door. Inside the generous hallway, the neutral bright white walls are contrasted with a wealth of warm oak, most notably the beautifully finished bespoke staircase with barley twist newel posts and spindles.

Deep oak ogee skirting boards and solid oak flooring run from hallway to sitting room.

“We had the stairs made. And all the flooring is solid oak. It's not engineered oak, it’s solid oak.”

Natural materials run throughout the house, with granite, slate, marble and travertine, with original old stone and red brick making appearances.

Sitting room with formal dining area and garden room
The generous proportions of this room mean it can easily be divided into two areas. The current owners have chosen a formal dining area with a table that can comfortably seat eight, accompanied by a baby grand piano to the front, with a classic sofa suite providing comfortable seating around the fire to the rear.

The original wide stone fireplace gives the room a period focal point. Currently fitted with a gas stove for instant warmth and atmosphere, it could easily be returned to a solid fuel grate if desired.

The room is kept light and bright during the day thanks to the windows on three walls.

Metal Crittall-style French doors open into the garden room, which in turn has sliding French doors onto the expansive south-facing garden.

“This is where we sit and drink our coffee in the winter.”

This is also the perfect spot to sit back and watch the visiting birds and wildlife.

“We get lots of visitors in the garden. We put up deer-proof fencing to stop the deer jumping in and eating things. We get rabbits, squirrels, voles and all sorts of birds – garden birds, song birds, birds of prey, red kites... We woke up one morning, and there was a little barn owl, obviously very tired, just sitting outside on the air conditioning unit. It was there all day.”

Kitchen/breakfast room
The kitchen/breakfast room is the sociable heart of this family home.

An inky blue 2-oven 2-plate Aga is the magic ingredient when it comes to autumnal stews and winter roasts, while the eye-level double oven (one with integrated microwave) and 5-ring halogen hob offer convenience for warmer months.

Natural materials abound in this highly practical kitchen. These include the slate flooring, solid oak shaker-style cabinetry, granite counters and splashbacks and deep ceramic Belfast sink, with red brick accents in the chimneybreast.

A wealth of cupboards and wall units provide plenty of storage, with the breakfast bar having storage on both sides as well as the end. The expanse of work surfaces ensures you’ve more than enough counter space for whatever culinary delights you’re creating.

Hidden amongst the cupboards is the integrated dishwasher.

Beyond the kitchen is the large breakfast area, perfectly sized to host a long refectory table with additional space for a sofa or large dog crate.

French doors lead out into the long, south-facing garden with internal doors to the right leading into the family room.

Family room
This generously proportioned room means everyone can decamp to their favourite spot on a selection of sofas and armchairs, making the most of a widescreen TV, media centre, book cases or whatever you choose to furnish it with.

Windows on three walls and borrowed light from the kitchen/breakfast room fill the space with natural light. In the evening, the gas fire creates instant warmth and ambience.

French doors lead out onto the patio and into the garden, making this a lovely space for big family get-togethers, social gatherings and all-year-round living.

Utility
An unusual C-shaped room, this could easily be used as a boot room, laundry room, utility room and storage space. All at the same time.

Oak shaker-style cabinets sit beneath a laminate worktop with attractive stone-effect tile splashbacks. There’s a stainless-steel 1½ bowl sink and draining board, adjustable shelves and a range of tall cupboards. As with the rest of this house, storage is plentiful and well considered.

The boiler is new, installed less than a year ago. The washing machine is built in. A side door leads out to the gated back garden.

Study
Ideally sized to be used as a home office, study or library. Dual aspect windows look out to the side of the house and the driveway and porch.

Gym/garage
From the outside it’s clear to see this was once the garage. Today it’s a large, air-conditioned home gym, furnished with rubber matting and double mirrored cupboards.

Windows on two walls and a side door further add to this room’s versatility, which could be returned to a garage with relatively little work.

Cloakroom
Recently refurbished, the cloakroom has half-height real travertine wall and floor tiles, a contemporary close-coupled WC with wall-hung hand basin, and a chromed ladder-style towel rail.

“We’ve literally just done the family shower room and downstairs cloakroom.”

UPSTAIRS – FIRST FLOOR
The spacious wrap-around landing retains an original red brick fireplace, a nod to its 1920s origins before central heating came as standard. Beside this is a little reading nook. The red brick is a nod to the location – Red Shute originates from the red clay that can be found in the area.

Additional storage is tucked into corners and beneath stairs, some bespoke and recently added, some original with latched wood doors.

A wide triple window looks out to the rear garden and, further along the landing, a pair of Velux windows keep things light during the day.

From the landing you have access to the principal and three bedrooms, with stairs taking you up to the next floor for the fifth bedroom and ensuite.

Principal bedroom
This generously proportioned bedroom feels like it’s occupying its own wing in this spacious house.

“We've got a six-foot-wide bed in our room and you wouldn't notice the size, the proportions of the room are so big.”

The super-king size bed looks like a standard double in this spacious bedroom, and there’s still more than enough space for accompanying bedside tables, chests of drawers, a dressing table and a sofa or chaise longue.

Flush bespoke fitted wardrobes provide a wealth of storage while maintaining an uncluttered feel. Windows on three walls fill the room with natural light, while air conditioning ensures the room stays comfortable in the increasingly hotter summers.

The end window has a fantastic view down the length of the garden to the woods beyond.

Air conditioning means that even during a heat wave this is a cool, tranquil haven.

Ensuite
Larger than most family bathrooms, this ensuite bathroom is well equipped and beautifully finished in real marble.

The wide shower enclosure has thermostatic controls, a large rainfall showerhead and a handset on a riser bar.

The freestanding double-ended bath sits beneath the window, perfect for reading a good book as you enjoy a long relaxing soak.

“The bathroom is a tranquil space for any person, it’s perfect to get away from the rest of the family and have a nice bath. It’s quite spa-like.”

A double sink vanity unit sits beneath corresponding double mirrored cabinets with spot lighting overhead. The room is further filled with natural light from the two opposing windows.

Towels are kept warm and to-hand with two ladder style radiators; a tall radiator sits beside the shower enclosure and a wide radiator sits beside the bath.

Set back on either side of the shower enclosure are two built-in cupboards, ideal for stacks of fresh towels and linens, as well as cleaning products and more.

“We had a lot of bespoke storage put into the house by a master carpenter cabinet maker. It’s now got a lot of storage, which we didn't have when we first got here.”

Bedroom two
Another generously proportioned bedroom, this time with period features that include a solid stone fireplace and two built-in cupboards with original latched doors.

The room is filled with light thanks to the windows on three walls. One window, with views down the garden, sits above what would make a lovely bright desk space between the cupboards.

There’s ample space for a sofa as well as the usual bedroom furniture, which would make this a great bedroom-cum-sitting room for an older child.

Bedroom three
With a nod to the creative background of the original owners, this room has a beautiful stained glass porthole window featuring a rampant red lion on a deep blue background, with a period brick fireplace tucked away in a corner.

This well-sized double bedroom has a built-in wardrobe with period latched door and a picture rail that encircles the room. The window looks out to the front of the house and the open fields beyond.

Bedroom four
The smallest of the bedrooms, this still provides space for a double bed, bedside table and chest of drawers.

This would make a great guest bedroom or second office, should more working from home space be needed. Being opposite the principal bedroom, it would also be ideal as a nursery or young child’s bedroom.

Family shower room
This spacious shower room has been newly refurbished. The marble tiling is of note, with the huge sheets of marble in the shower beautifully juxtaposed by the delicate herringbone tiles on the surrounding walls.

“We've used high-end materials throughout the house. The marble tiles in the bathroom took four men to lift!”

The walk-in shower has thermostatic controls, an adjustable spray pattern shower head with a handset on a riser bar. Set into the wall are two shelf recesses, keeping shampoos and cleansers close to hand, while towels are kept warm and within reach on a stylish anthracite ladder-style radiator.

A wide mirror sits above a floating double sink vanity unit, with a close-coupled WC against the window wall. Wide windows fill the room with natural light.

SECOND FLOOR
Follow the turned oak staircase up another floor and you reach the former attic space, now a bedroom with ensuite bathroom.

The Velux window overhead ensures the stairs are well lit, with the landing and two eaves storage cupboards providing handy storage space.

Bedroom 5
Velux windows on two aspects ensure plenty of natural light, with the quad set giving incredible floor-to-ceiling views across the garden to the woods beyond.

This double bedroom is fitted with air conditioning to keep things pleasantly comfortable no matter how hot the day outside.

Shower room
The spacious bathroom has a corner bath with mixer taps and handset. There’s a vanity topped hand basin with shaver socket, a close-coupled WC and a ladder-style chromed towel radiator.

The walls and floor have real travertine tiles with a decorative mosaic band.

Outside
The house is set back from the road behind a fence and mature hedge. Through the stone pillared entrance, you have a large block-paved driveway with plenty of space to park six or more cars.

A mix of high hedges and trees screen the house from neighbours and the road, while the woodland behind and open fields opposite ensure you’re not overlooked. This is a wonderfully private house.

“The garden was what sold the house to us. It’s spectacular.”

The back garden is huge, the whole plot from front to back extends to two-thirds of an acre. Within the garden are numerous trees, some of which are believed to be up to 300 years old.

“It's south facing, backed by trees and is the best part of an acre. It's got lots of old mature trees and shrubs. We just love the fact that some of these trees have been here for hundreds of years.”

Running the full width of the house is a large block paved patio, which extends to the first of several sheds, others are hidden from view discretely tucked behind hedges and greenery.

“I would say it's an English garden with Mediterranean touches. There are tropical plants and some maples which go bright red.”

Heading into the garden is a new octagonal raised decking area. This has been designed specifically for outdoor dining, and in warmer months benefits from being partially shaded by the surrounding trees and hedging.

“In summer, this is a lovely spot to sit and have a morning coffee, and an evening sundowner.”

Continue further into the garden and you’ve a summer house, with electricity, should you want a quiet spot away from the house to think, read or just sit back and do nothing.

Dotted throughout the garden are numerous ornamental trees and shrubs, including a particularly handsome acer, a tree palm, cherry tree and much more. This is a well-established, low-maintenance garden designed to be enjoyed rather than laboured over.

“I would say some of these trees are exceptional. I mean, you can't buy a new house and get this.”

It would be easy to forget you have neighbours in this very private garden. You’d be hard pressed to catch sight of anyone.

“In different times of year, you get different things going on. You're also really, really sheltered, you don't see anyone here, thanks to all the trees.”

At the end of the long lawn is a gate that takes you into woodland owned by the neighbouring Downe House School.

Parking
The house has a large block paved drive which provides parking for six or more cars.

Situation
Red Shute Hill is surrounded by pretty villages and sprawling countryside, ideal for long rambles.

“We've just got some nice walks, you can walk all the way from Hermitage down to Hampstead Norreys. There's a new path down there that’s been put in along the old railway branch line.”

For those who like a walk to include a country pub on a walk, your choices include The Bunk Inn, within strolling distance, while a little further afield you have Frilsham and Yattendon, between them home to The Royal Oak, The Pot Kiln and the Renegade Brewery Taproom & Kitchen.

“There are lots of nice walks from here. There’s a nice walk down to The Bunk, which is the old country pub. You've got Grimsby Wood at the top. There’s even a fairly large herd of albino fallow deer nearby – so you can very literally see white harts as you walk around.”

For dining out, you have your local, The Bunk Inn, and for something Michelin-inspired, you have The Woodspeen, the Vineyard, Goat on the Roof and Malverleys, which are all within a short drive.

For culture, you have the iconic and award-winning Watermill Theatre (also a dining location), Arlington Arts, the Corn Exchange and the Living Rainforest.

For recreational activities, Newbury town centre has a multi-screen cinema, plentiful shops and businesses.

Newbury town centre is just two miles away. Newbury and Thatcham train stations are barely a 10-minute drive.

Newbury Racecourse is just across town.

There are several golf courses in and around Newbury, including Donnington & Co hotel, spa and golf club, Deanwood Park Golf Club, Donnington Grove Golf Club and Newbury & Crookham Golf Club.

Transport links
By car
The junction with the M4 and A34 is just a 5-minute drive away, connecting you to most of the country. From these, you can access London in the east, Bristol and Cornwall in the west, head north to Birmingham or south to the coast. Both Newbury and Red Shute Hill are incredibly well-connected.

By train
Trains from Newbury and Thatcham stations run to Reading, connecting with the Elizabeth line, and to London, Didcot, Heathrow and Gatwick airports. To the west, trains run to Exeter St Davids and Penzance.

By bus
Your nearest bus stops are opposite the Murco Fuel Station heading into Newbury, and just beyond the Curridge Road junction heading away from town.

Schooling
According to West Berkshire Council, the schools within the catchment area are:
Primary: St Mark’s C.E. Primary School and St Finian’s Catholic Primary School
Secondary: The Downs School and Trinity School

In addition, there’s a wide range of highly acclaimed private schools in the area, which includes the neighbouring Downe House - their woods can be reached from the gate at the bottom of the garden. You also have St Gabriel’s, Brockhurst & Marlston House, Cheam, Thorngrove, Elstree, Abingdon School, Marlborough College and Bradfield College, Pangbourne College, Radley College and more.

Good to know
There’s a new Co-op in Hermitage, handy for those everyday essentials.

There's a lot of storage throughout the house, some is original, some has been bespoke made by a master craftsman.

Original features include Crittall-style French doors, stone and brick fireplaces, wooden latched doors and a feature leaded glass window.

To the side of the house is an enclosed patio area, ideal for letting the dog(s) out and keeping them close by.

Abingdon School and St Gabriel’s School both run buses to this area.

Services
Heating and hot water are oil fired.
Electricity and water are mains connected.
Waste is to a septic tank at the bottom of the garden.

Connectivity
Broadband, according to Gigaclear, is Ultrafast at up to 820Mbps.
Mobile, according to Vodafone, is a “good indoors and outdoors” 5G service.

Council
The local authority is West Berkshire.
The house is Council Tax band G.

Tenure
Freehold

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
E

EPC rating: E. Tenure: Freehold,