Stockcross, Newbury, RG20

A rare chance to live in your own wing of a period country house. Covering 3,000 sq ft and encompassing 3 storeys, a stunning 28’ panelled drawing room, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen/conservatory and private gardens designed by a Chelsea medallist, this is modern living in timeless elegance.

Situation
On the outskirts of Newbury, just off the A34, is a private drive leading to Deanwood House. Next door is Deanwood Park Golf Course, a few moments further along the road is the acclaimed 5-star Vineyard Hotel, Spa and Restaurant currently being refurbished but reopening later this year.

Property
Deanwood House dates back to the early 1900s, making it a late Victorian/early Edwardian house rich in period features.

Unlike other grand properties that are often divided into apartments, 8 Deanwood House occupies an entire wing and three floors of this country house, ensuring it always feels like a house.

This is a substantial 3,000 sq ft home, with a third-of-an-acre garden designed by a Chelsea medal winner.

“It’s one big house that was divided into eight dwellings c. 1978. We shut our front doors and it’s just like living anywhere else. There is nothing communal here, apart from the car park.”

You reach the house via a long curving driveway. Once parked, you approach the front door through the courtyard.

“It's like being in a mews, having neighbours close by. It's very safe if you travel a lot, as we do. You can shut your door and not have to worry about security."

Hallway
From the moment you enter, you’re unmistakably in a grand house with high ceilings and period features in abundance.

The charming entrance lobby sets the tone with a decorative black and white tiled floor, ornate fireplace, panelled walls, mouldings and cornicing, and an impressive near double-height moulded ceiling.

From here you have access to the drawing room, the kitchen/conservatory, downstairs cloakroom and stairs to the upper floors.

Kitchen
The kitchen is a stylish juxtaposition of period features and contemporary living. Thoughtfully updated, it combines the age-warmed tones of the original wooden cupboards and fireplace along one wall with the cool marble island and work surfaces and bespoke painted cabinetry along the other.

The vast central island has a marble waterfall worktop, creating a spacious breakfast bar for four.

Within the island there’s a recessed double bowl sink with fluted draining grooves on both sides, the oven and microwave are below, with integrated warming drawer, and dishwasher.

Behind the integrated, induction hob is an extractor fan. Upstands are marble. Below the hob are deep pan drawers.

The hob area is bookended by a pantry to the left and an American-style double fridge freezer and a tall pull out larder cupboard to the right.

Storage is plentiful, within the original wooden cabinets surrounding the fireplace and, across the kitchen, in the bespoke painted units. Bevelled-edge mirrors subtly unite new and old, maximising light and adding interest.

Lighting is from a trio of stylish cluster chandeliers that accentuate the ceiling height.

CONSERVATORY
The striking oak-framed conservatory is a seamless extension to the kitchen, and one of the most used and loved rooms in this incredible home. It leads on to a terrace with steps down to the garden, this is the perfect spot for your morning coffee, for enjoying a casual lunch or special supper, and for a relaxing sundowner at the end of the day.

“Sitting in the kitchen and the conservatory, I can't see another house. All I see is my garden and then the golf course, and trees, and trees, and trees, and trees.”

Natural limestone flooring blends with the terrace beyond. The high vaulted glass ceiling fills the room with natural light, complemented by the cluster chandelier for when the sun fades, and tall radiator for when the days become cooler. As in the hallway, this room also has underfloor heating.

“We like to have our morning coffee out on the terrace from the kitchen, which gets the sun safe from May to October.”

Drawing room
Formerly the billiards room of the original house, this striking room with its wooden floor is simultaneously grand and welcoming.

The painted wooden panelling draws your eye up to the high ceiling. A gloriously wide arch frames the full-height bay window, creating the ideal setting for a dining table.

“The house is ideal for entertaining. The kitchen is big, as is the drawing room – we've easily had 20 for dinner in there.”

The fireplace alcove, with its low curved ceiling, creates a cosy area around the huge fireplace. Above, the ornate mantle panelling is inset with bevel-edged mirrors for added light and interest.

“While the drawing room is enormous, it's lovely in the wintertime with the fire going – it’s when we use it most.”

A high-level leaded glass window adds interest and light. There’s even a ‘hidden’ door in the panelling, now a small cupboard.

The neutral colour scheme and curtains allow you to add pops of colour and feature pieces of furniture with ease. This is a delightful room from morning to evening.

Cloakroom
Tucked away behind wooden double doors, is the cloakroom, making clever use of the under-stairs space.

This rather glamorous WC, with its Fornassetti wallpaper, is proof that no room is too small for some designer flair.

UPSTAIRS – FIRST FLOOR
A generous first-floor landing continues the feeling of calm and space, and provides plenty of space for a quiet reading nook or home office.

From here you have access to the principal and second bedrooms, with stairs taking you up to the next floor.

Principal bedroom
Entered via the dressing room, this spacious and elegant bedroom suite has a deeply private feel.

The vast bedroom has the same wide bay window as the drawing room below, giving wide views of the garden and golf course beyond.

An ornamental Victorian fireplace with over-mantel mirror adds a feature to one end of the room, and would make a lovely backdrop to a chaise longue or boudoir chair. The pretty wallpaper is a Thibault Toile De Jouy.

This room is spacious enough for a super-king-sized bed with all the accompanying boudoir furniture you could wish for. Or as little – it’s a wonderfully serene space.

In addition to the high ceiling and feature fireplace, you have a picture rail, ornate ceiling rose, wood panelling and decorative coving.

Dressing room
This is a super spacious dressing room. To the right, reclaimed period part-glazed doors front four wide double wardrobes. To the left, bespoke built-in wardrobes line the wall, set back beneath the wide arch.

In the centre are multiple chests of drawers, two of which have padded tops to create ottoman seating.

There is plumbing for a washing machine in one of the cupboards with shelving above.

Ensuite
This leads off from the dressing room and has plenty of natural light

A large vanity unit with basin and drawers beneath sits beneath a window, providing plenty of storage. Fixtures and fittings are in an attractive brushed soft gold finish. The bath has a shower over, with thermostatic controls, a handset shower and fixed showerhead.

In keeping with the rest of this elegant period home, there’s a picture rail above the painted and tiled walls.

Bedroom two
Currently used as a TV/sitting room, this would need few changes to become a lovely large double bedroom.

The wide window overlooks the picturesque garden and golf course beyond.

Period features include a fabulous wide fireplace with decorative surround, a high ceiling with ornate cornicing and ceiling rose, a picture rail and original wood panelled doors – one of which leads to a spacious airing cupboard with shelving and hot water cylinder.

A wall of custom-built bookcases and cupboards provides plenty of additional storage.

Just outside the room is another closet behind decorative panelled double doors.

SECOND FLOOR
At the top of the stairs, you have two more bedrooms and a shower room.

Bedroom 3
This super-spacious room could be put to all sorts of uses.

“Upstairs, my husband has a huge room for his office, but it could also be an upstairs television room, or if someone has children, it would be a wonderful bedroom playroom.”

It would make the perfect bedroom with sitting area and kitchenette (which could easily be expanded) making it a teenager’s dream semi-independent living space.

It could also provide comfortable living for an au pair or live-in carer or housekeeper. Or it could become a self-sufficient home office, gym or workshop. The options are almost endless.

The beams add character, the window and Velux fill the space with natural light, and the T-shape floor plan gives scope for zoning.

Bedroom 4
The smallest of the bedrooms, this is still a comfortable double. The window has far-reaching views of the garden and golf course beyond.

Shower room
Almost fully marble tiled, this elegant shower room has been cleverly designed to make the most of the available space.

The large shower enclosure has thermostatic controls, a large rainfall and a hand-held shower head, and a handy recessed shelf.

Opposite is a smart vanity unit with hand basin, and underneath drawers, above which is a shelf and mirrored cabinet.

The loo is back-to-wall. Lighting is a mix of natural light from the Velux window, and recessed ceiling lights.

There is also A wide chromed heated ladder-style towel rail.

Outside
The approach is down a private driveway, setting the house back from the road.

“It's very safe for children and animals. There is a road, but it's so far away, they never go there.”

The garden is another outstanding feature of this house, and was designed by Jo Alderson Phillips, a Chelsea medal winner. There is an original antique Italian triple bowl fountain which could be available by separate negotiation.

“The gardenis just wonderful, I spend as much time as I can out in there. They’re one of the things that first attracted us to the house, and which I’ll miss the most.”

Extending to roughly a third of an acre, the garden includes formal lawns and box edged parterres with lavender and David Austin roses, flowering cherry trees, and a range of seating and relaxing spaces.

“We get a lot of wildlife. We have a wonderful selection of birds. We have deer. “

“Sitting in the kitchen and the conservatory, I can't see another house. All I see is my garden and then the golf course, and trees, and trees, and trees, and trees. I love spending time here.”

A separate outdoor dining area is located close to the summer house.

Mature hornbeam hedging screens a couple of sheds, ensuring practicalities like lawn mowers and bicycles don’t detract from the design of the garden.

“The sun rises to the right of the back of the house. We get the early morning sun on the terrace and the garden is in the sun all day long.”

In addition to the private garden, you have a plot in the kitchen garden, with plenty of room to grow your own fruit and vegetables, along with a selection of fruit trees.

“For somebody who's keen on gardening, the kitchen gardens are a huge bonus. You can basically do what you like, and if you don't want to use it, then you just tell the management company, and they will put it to grass and take over the grass cutting. I planted a quince tree, and we have lots of apple trees.”

Parking
The house comes with two allocated parking spaces and additional guest parking.

Situation
Newbury town centre is just two miles away.

In the area, you have plenty of scope to satisfy most interests. For dining out, excellent Michelin-listed options include the Vineyard – just a short stroll away and The Woodspeen.

For culture, you’ve 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.

For leisure and pampering, the Vineyard Hotel’s Spa is due to reopen later, while across town you have David Lloyd and Nuffield leisure centres, in addition to numerous gyms.

“There's access to the woods from here. My neighbour keeps a couple of horses in the field at the bottom of my garden, and they sometimes ride through the woods.”

Newbury Racecourse is just across town.

There are several golf courses in and around Newbury, including your neighbour, Deanwood Park, along with Donnington Grove, Donnington Valley and Newbury & Crookham Golf Club.

Transport links
By car
The main arteries of the A4, M4, A34 and the A339 are all close by. From these, you can access London in the east, Bristol and Cornwall in the west, head north to Birmingham or south to the coast. Newbury is a very well-connected town.

“That's another good thing about where we are. You've got the M4 the A34. You can get to Oxford, Southampton, London, Bath... We're very much in the centre of everything.”

By train/public transport
Trains from Newbury station 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 just beyond the end of the drive, on the B4000, with buses running to Newbury and Lambourn.

By foot
You’re just a short stroll to The Vineyard and beyond this into Stockcross, along with some pretty woodland and country walks.

“Cycling and walking from here are excellent. You can walk to the Vineyard, across the field opposite the house, there's public footpath the other side of the road, and it's ideal for cycling too with the new cycle path.” Savernake Forest is a short drive away, once the largest privately owned forest in England and home to the Earl of Cardigan."

Schooling
According to West Berkshire Council, the schools within the catchment area are:
Primary. Stockcross C.E. (V.A.) Primary School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
Secondary. Trinity School

In addition, there’s a wide range of private schooling available, which includes: St Gabriel’s, Brockhurst & Marlston House, Cheam, Thorngrove, Downe House, Elstree, Marlborough College and Bradfield College, Pangbourne College, Radley College and more.

Good to know
The period character of the house has been retained throughout, with high ceilings, fireplaces, wood panelling, picture rails and solid-wood doors.

“The walls are very thick, and we hardly ever hear our neighbours.”

Radiators are a mix of original and contemporary versions of Victorian column radiators, with towel radiators in the bathrooms.

Some door furniture is original. Of particular note is the kitchen door and the reclaimed doors in the dressing room.

There's a lot of storage throughout the house, which includes under both sets of stairs, in bedrooms and under the eaves. There’s also storage in the courtyard, which is used as a pantry/storeroom, and is where the postman can leave parcels.

Services
Heating and hot water are LPG fired. The boiler is outside in a small brick-built housing.
Electricity and water are mains connected. Waste by biodisk.

Connectivity
Broadband, according to Gigaclear, is Ultrafast fibre 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
Leasehold with a share of the freehold.
999 years from 25 December 1978.

Ground rent: £1 per year
Service charge: £190 per month

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
F

EPC rating: F. Tenure: Share of freehold, Service charge description: 190/month,