Hardwick, Whitchurch on Thames, Reading, Oxfordshire, RG8

PARKERS - The Dower House is a unique four bedroom country house, which was originally part of Hardwick House, the Elizabethan manor, and inspiration for Toad Hall in Wind in the Willows, which it sits beside.

The house is situated at the heart of Hardwick Estate, a beautiful piece of land in the Chilterns National Landscape, stretching from the River Thames through 500 acres of woodland - criss crossed with footpaths, and across 350 acres of organic and ecologically managed farmland. The Estate is a haven for wildlife where residents regularly see birds of prey, glow worms, otters and orchids amongst many other natural wonders.

While the Dower House itself has a modest garden, tenants have immediate access to wide expanses of woodland, fields and river literally outside their doorstep.

Hardwick is home to approximately 100 people who will soon become members of the community-run charity which will own it, making it the first community-run Estate in England. This exciting transition is the wish of the Rose family, who remain heavily involved, but see this as the best way to secure the community and ecological ethos of the Estate for the future. As a result Hardwick is a thriving community with a full calendar of social events, seasonal celebrations, community meetings, and mutual support for each other. That said, there is no requirement to participate in the community-led structure if tenants would rather have a more private life.

The funds generated by renting the Dower House help to support this project and the charitable work of Hardwick Estate – to protect the environment, promote traditional rural crafts, ensure access to land for those who need it most and provide affordable housing for those in need.

The Dower House was renovated to a high modern standard in 2018, and finished in keeping with its historical period, giving it a light, traditional, and luxurious feel. All windows in the property are secondary glazed. An electric car charger is provided.

The ground floor features a welcoming entrance hallway leading through to a separate reception/Study room, To the rear is an impressive open-plan kitchen and living area, providing an excellent space for both everyday family life and entertaining, with doors opening directly onto a substantial terrace measuring approximately 32ft in length.

The lower-ground floor provides further useful accommodation, including a particularly spacious utility room, separate WC and an additional room which could lend itself to a variety of uses.

Arranged over the first and second floors are four well-proportioned bedrooms, offering excellent flexibility for family living, guests or home office space. The first floor also benefits from a family bathroom, with a further bathroom serving the second floor. Plus a large drawing/living room which features dark panelling throughout.

Externally, the property enjoys a generous terrace, providing an excellent setting for outdoor dining and entertaining, with attractive established surroundings adding to the appeal of this distinctive home.