Gibraltar Lane, Maidenhead, SL6

Watermead House is a substantial contemporary freehold residence occupying one of Cookham's most desirable addresses, with direct frontage to the River Thames. Successive programmes of improvement have produced a house of consistently modern character, finished with pale stone floors, extensive glazing and a plan in which the principal rooms flow into one another.

The position is exceptional. Gibraltar Lane is a private lane serving a small number of substantial houses, and the property stands well back from it behind established planting. The gardens are laid out in tiers, preserving the outlook from the house and providing level ground at each stage, and descend to the bank, where the property enjoys direct river access and a mooring of its own.

The house extends to 5,646 sq ft, and with the garage and outbuildings the total rises to 6,614 sq ft. The accommodation is arranged over two floors, with the reception rooms, two bedrooms and the annexe all at ground level, and it is generously proportioned throughout. Formal entertaining space and everyday family accommodation sit comfortably alongside one another, and with glazing running the length of the principal rooms, each is filled with natural light and enjoys an outlook across the gardens.

The specification is thorough. Underfloor heating serves the ground floor and the bathrooms, the lighting is on a feature system, and the property is protected by an alarm and CCTV. There is a cinema room, together with a gym and sauna.

The ancillary accommodation is unusually comprehensive for a house of this size and affords a purchaser considerable flexibility: a wing which may be closed off as an annexe or home office, a study set apart from the main living space, and a garage of some 23 ft by 18 ft approached by a gated driveway with parking for several cars.

The ground floor is arranged around a central courtyard. At its heart is the open plan kitchen, dining and family room, measuring some 33 ft by 30 ft, fitted with twin islands and a bar and served by an adjoining utility room. Around it lie a reception room of some 28 ft with a wood burning stove, a garden room, a cinema room of some 19 ft and a study, together with two double bedrooms, a family bathroom and two cloakrooms.

One wing operates independently of the remainder of the house, with its own kitchen and sitting room, a bedroom and a shower room. It lends itself to an au pair, a housekeeper or visiting family, and would serve equally well as an office for anyone working from home.

On the first floor, the principal suite comprises a dressing room, an en suite bathroom and a separate WC, together with a private terrace overlooking the river. The three remaining bedrooms are served by two further bathrooms on the same floor.

OUTSIDE

Electric gates open to a broad driveway with parking for several cars and to the garage, which connects back to the house by way of the gym, with its sauna and shower, and a store room.

A large paved area adjoins the house and provides space for dining outside. To the rear, the lawned gardens are terraced and lead down to the banks of the Thames, where the mooring lies. The change in level ensures that the river remains in view from the house and from each terrace in turn.

Location

Gibraltar Lane is among Cookham's finest addresses. It lies below Winter Hill, part of the National Trust preserved Cookham Commons, and runs parallel with the Thames. It is a no through road, so that traffic is limited to residents. The commons, Cock Marsh among them, begin a little over half a mile from the house and offer excellent walking and elevated views across the river, while the surrounding countryside forms part of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Cookham is a historic village on the Thames with a well provided high street of independent shops, galleries, tea rooms, public houses and restaurants. Cookham Rise, 1.5 miles distant, meets day to day requirements. Marlow and Maidenhead are both within easy reach and offer a broader range of independent and national retailers together with an excellent choice of restaurants: Tom Kerridge's Hand and Flowers at Marlow holds two Michelin stars, The Waterside Inn at Bray lies six miles away, and Cliveden House and Spa, which offers private social and country club membership, 4.4 miles.

There is walking along the Thames Path and through the surrounding woodland, with golf, football, cricket and rugby clubs close at hand. Golf may be had at Winter Hill, Marlow, Temple, Harleyford and Henley, with the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey, racing at Windsor, Ascot and Newbury, polo at Smith's Lawn and Winkfield, and rowing and boating on the river, Henley and its regatta lying upstream.

Cookham has three primary schools and three nurseries within the village. The wider choice is considerable in both sectors: Sir William Borlase's Grammar School at Marlow lies three miles away, Beaconsfield High School and Herries Preparatory School at Cookham Dean are close by, St Piran's and Claires Court are at Maidenhead, and Eton, Harrow, Wycombe Abbey and Caldicott are each within half an hour.

Cookham station, 1.7 miles from the house, lies on the Marlow branch line, with Maidenhead reached in under ten minutes and London Paddington in around 33 minutes on the fastest services. Fast trains from Maidenhead reach Paddington in approximately 20 minutes, and the Elizabeth line runs from the same station directly to Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf. Heathrow is within about half an hour by road, and the M4 (J8/9) and M40 (J4) are both reached from the A404(M). Marlow High Street lies 1.5 miles on foot by the footpaths and 2.4 miles by road.

Tenure: Freehold • EPC: C • Council Tax: Band H
Local Authority: Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
Square footage: 6,614 sq ft •

Quote Reference: 840710