Magnificent Victorian family house
- 7/8 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- 4 reception rooms
- Outbuildings, swimming pool
- Coach house with pp to convert
- Gardens and grounds 1.6 acres
Situation
The Old Vicarage is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in the picturesque hamlet of Highmoor, which has a pretty church, village hall and thriving public house. One mile to the north is the village of Nettlebed, which boasts several antique
shops, a local store/post office and the well regarded White Hart Hotel and restaurant. More extensive shopping, restaurant/pub and leisure facilities can be found in nearby Henley-on-Thames, Wallingford and Reading, together with a fast rail service to London
Paddington (from 28 minutes). There are excellent state and private schools nearby, together with a number of fine golf courses. Horse racing can be enjoyed at Windsor, Ascot and Newbury, whilst the beautiful Chiltern hills offer miles of tracks and bridleways
for walking, cycling and riding. Boating facilities are available on the River Thames.
Description
Formerly the vicarage for nearby St Paul's, the Old Vicarage, which was built in 1859, is a magnificent Victorian building with brick and flint elevations under a slate tile roof. The ecclesiastical influence runs throughout the house with a wealth of gothic
arches, leaded light and stained glass windows, and the sign of the cross still decorating some doors and joinery. The property has many original features including fireplaces, panelled ceilings and tiled floors. It retains the grandeur of the period and yet
is a home with immense charm and warmth. Main features include:
- Large drawing room with stripped wood floor, open fireplace with stone surround, double aspect with windows overlooking gardens, window seats, working shutters, door to rear lobby, steps up to wide double doors opening into
- Charming sitting room, open fireplace with wood surround, bay window with French window opening to the garden, working shutters, stripped wood floor
- Elegant dining room, double aspect to front and side, working shutters, open fireplace with marble surround
- Open plan kitchen/breakfast room with a range of oak floor and wall units and dresser, 4-oven Aga, built in dishwasher, built in oven, brick fireplace with wood burning stove, window to front with shutters, doors to courtyard garden
- 5/6 first floor bedrooms (1 en-suite), 2 further bathrooms, 2 second floor bedrooms
Outside
The Old Vicarage is approached over a gravel drive running alongside the church and opening via a 5 bar gate to a large gravelled parking area and turning circle to the front of the house. To one side is an attractive courtyard garden, accessed from the kitchen
and leading to the range of brick outbuildings used as various useful stores and plant room for the nearby heated swimming pool. The pool is a recent addition and is lined in mosaic tiles, edged with a stone terrace and the surrounding garden is attractively
landscaped. The coach house, which is situated to one end of the courtyard has planning permission for restoration and conversion with extension to form ancillary accommodation. The delightful gardens wrap around the house and are laid mainly to lawn, interspersed
with a variety of mature trees, giving a splendid backdrop to the beautiful house.
Planning Permission
Application number:P98/S0479
Accommodation
Directions
From Henley-on-Thames take the Fairmile (A4130) in the direction of Oxford and, after approximately 4 miles, at the mini-roundabout just before Nettlebed, turn left signposted to Peppard Common and Reading (B491.) Pass the Sue Ryder home on the right and after
approximately one mile, shortly after the turning to Witheridge Hill and Stoke Row the driveway to The Old Vicarage will be found on the right hand side just before the church. Post code RG9 5DT.