Church Lane, Reading

Dating back to the 17th century with a later 19th century addition, this truly special Grade 2 listed home is rich in history, character and charm. Once a derelict public house, the property was purchased by the current owners in 2010 and has since been lovingly and extensively restored to create a beautiful family home.

The transformation has been carried out with real care. Original features have been preserved and celebrated throughout, including exposed beams, open fireplaces and restored wattle and daub panels. These sit comfortably alongside thoughtful modern improvements, including hardwood windows, all new wiring and plumbing, including underfloor heating throughout the ground floor, a stylish country kitchen and well-appointed bathrooms. The result is a home with all the warmth and soul of a historic cottage, but with the comfort and ease needed for modern life.

Inside, the house is warm and welcoming. The kitchen is a real heart-of-the-home space, with soft green cabinets, wooden worktops, flagstone-style flooring, exposed timbers and a striking Everhot range cooker set within a brick fireplace surround. The adjoining dining spaces and reception rooms in the 17th century part of the house are full of charm, with fireplaces, beams, cottage-style windows, French doors and pretty decorative touches throughout. The living room in the later addition to the house is especially inviting, with generous proportions, a feature fireplace and plenty of space for family gatherings. There is also a useful study on the ground floor, ideal for home working or as a quiet reading room.

Upstairs, the bedrooms continue the cottage feel, two with exposed beams and character doorways plus all having wonderful views over the gardens and countryside. The principal bedroom benefits from an en-suite, with three further double bedrooms and a family bathroom arranged around the first floor.

The gardens and grounds are a major part of the appeal. Extending to around three acres, they offer a wonderful mix of formal and informal spaces, with excellent scope for those with horses or other animals. Immediately outside the kitchen is a generous, paved terrace which is perfect for barbeques and entertaining. Beyond this are lawns, an orchard which was recultivated as part of the overall renovation, a vegetable garden, poly tunnel, a chicken pen and paddock land.

There are numerous useful outbuildings, including garaging, workshop space, sheds, stables, a carport and lean-to/container storage. Whether for horses, hobbies, animals, smallholding, gardening, storage or future potential, the outside space offers enormous flexibility.

Wheatsheaf House is in Grazeley, just south of Reading, offering a lovely semi-rural setting while remaining extremely well connected. Reading provides an excellent range of shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and entertainment, while Reading station, approximately 5.5 miles away, offers regular services to London Paddington in under 30 minutes. Local rail services are also available from Mortimer into Reading.

For road connections, Junction 11 of the M4 is approximately 1.5 miles away, making the location particularly convenient for commuters. Wokefield Park Golf Club is also nearby, and the surrounding villages offer a good selection of local amenities, including pubs and restaurants.

Families are well served by schools in the area. Grazeley Primary School is just a few hundred yards away, while Reading Blue Coat School, Sherfield School, Wellesley Prep School, Wellington College and Wellington Prep are all within reasonable driving distance.

Mains Electricity

Mains water

Private drainage

Biomass boiler

Local authority: Wokingham Borough Council

Council tax band: F