Detached House for sale on

Common Road

Thatcham, RG19

Tenure: Freehold

Headley sits between Newbury and Kingsclere just off the A339, a short distance from the former school of King Charles, Cheam School.

Common Road, sitting between Headley and Plaistow Green, is an idyl of English countryside. There’s a smattering of houses, with Byfields sitting to the end of a quiet lane – free from any passing traffic, surrounded by rolling fields and wide, open countryside – hence the name, Byfields.

Just over a 10-minute drive towards Newbury takes you to the Retail Park with its selection of key shops, David Lloyd health club, Newbury RFC and beyond into the town centre – or on to the A34 and the south coast. Kingsclere high street is just 5 minutes away.

PROPERTY

Byfields is a much-improved home with a substantial, beautifully constructed ground floor extension that helps the house to deliver on the promise of the gardens and location. This is a beautiful home to be enjoyed and lived in fully, whether sociably with friends and family or quietly enjoying the serene surroundings. 

Front

The pretty front garden has a block paved drive, with parking for at least 3 cars. There’s additional space for 2 cars, and planning permission was granted for a detached garage.

Sitting room

The perfect room to retreat to on a cold winter’s day with a warming fire crackling in the log-burning stove. There’s plenty of space for plush sofas, snugs and squishy armchairs.

A deep bay window to the front with another window to the side ensures plenty of light.

This would make a lovely cosy sitting room or lined with books, your own toasty warm library.

Kitchen/Diner/Lounge

The centrepiece of this family home must really be the fabulous open-plan kitchen and dining room, with vast wrap around windows, roof lantern and interior design magazine-worthy kitchen.

This stylish extension was architect designed alongside the owner. It transforms the house and creates a super sociable space people naturally gravitate to.

Kitchen

For the chef of the house, on the island – perfectly located to orchestrate social gatherings – you have a 4-zoned induction hob with in-built downdraft extraction.

Beside the dedicated drinks station, with boiling water tap and sink, is the wine chiller. Flanking the integrated full-height fridge and freezer are larder cupboards. Counter space and storage won’t be a problem in this kitchen.   

Contrasting the luxe of the kitchen to great effect is the flagstone floor with underfloor heating that unites the space, split stone tiled pillars and vast sliding doors onto the garden and patio.

Diner/Lounge

Stepping down from the kitchen into the dining room, the incredible wall of sliding windows and views beyond take the breath away. Sliding open onto the patio and garden, these seamlessly unite inside and out. The garden extends out of view from here.

Overhead, the large roof lantern further fills this zen-like room with light, creating an unbeatable feeling of space. The dining room will come alive with gatherings, while providing a sanctuary of peace and calm when you want to sit back and look out for visiting birds and other wildlife.

Utility

Beside the kitchen, with a door onto the side path, is the smart utility-come-boot room. The ideal way to return home after a long country walk with muddy boots, kids and dogs. With the same stone floor as the kitchen, with space to sit and take off your boots and storage for coats. There’s also a mix of full-height, under-counter and wall-hung units, with plumbing for a washing machine and dryer.

Just outside is a strategically placed tap, just right for cleaning down muddy wellies, dogs and kids before coming into the house.

Office/Hobby room

Beside the dining room, behind a sliding pocket with its own sliding full-height doors onto the garden, is the home office. This very private space would make a great mini-gym or yoga space. This room too has underfloor heating.

Shower room

Ready for its makeover, the light, spacious downstairs bathroom could be transformed into a great wet room for someone wanting to avoid stairs and steps. It currently houses a low-level loo, wash basin, shower, radiator and loft access overhead. 

Downstairs bedrooms

There are two double bedrooms and a single bedroom on the ground floor. 

Bedroom three & four

The larger of the downstairs bedrooms has a built-in wardrobe and sits next door to a single bedroom, which is currently used variously as a dressing room, play room or sitting room/study depending on who’s staying. The downstairs bathroom is immediately opposite, further creating the sense of being a self-contained ‘annexe’. This would make a great guest suite, or to give an older child a feeling of independence. 

Bedroom five

The other double bedroom, overlooking the front of the house, has windows on two sides and an ensuite shower room.

Upstairs

Upstairs are the principal bedroom, a double bedroom and a bathroom.

Bedroom one

The principal bedroom is sublime, with wide picture windows on two walls offering almost endless views down the long garden and onto the neighbouring fields. Rushing out of bed in the morning may become a challenge with views like these!

There’s a feature fireplace, solid wood floors and a wonderful amount of space. Perfect for creating a calm sanctuary with a boudoir sofa, dressing table, wall of wardrobes or whatever you’d like to include. 

A door leads into the loft space, which would be converted under the previously approved PP. Currently, it provides plenty of additional storage and houses the controller for the roof-mounted solar PV panels that heat the hot water tank.

Bathroom

With a deep bath beneath a rainfall showerhead and handset with flush-mounted thermostatic controls. There’s also a close-coupled toilet, wash basin and radiator.

Bedroom two

A good-sized double bedroom with dual aspect windows offering views over the common and to the front of the house. With a wide mirrored double wardrobe it is currently used as a dressing room. 

OUTSIDE

To the rear, a spacious patio area allows the party to spill seamlessly from the dining room to the garden, and offers ample space for a garden lounge, alfresco dining, barbeque area, pizza oven and more.

Beyond, you have a garden that extends an incredible 75 meters (measured from the end of the patio).

Walk through thus sublime garden past the apple trees and beneath the majestic oak tree. Heaving with birdlife and with nature walks starting from the bottom of your very own garden this is a twitcher’s and nature lover’s dream.

Still to do

As you’ll see, this remarkable house isn’t quite finished. But the heavy lifting is done. The rest is mostly remodelling to your own taste, to really make it your own.

Things still to do include:

In the kitchen – worktop to be fitted to the kitchen island and some handles to cabinets.

In the bathroom – some tiling and painting.

In the shower room – make it your own.

Outside –split limestone cladding to be fitted to the exterior of the extension. This is already on site, just needs fitting.

Potential to do more

Planning permission has been granted for a detached garage and another substantial two-storey extension, creating a five-bedroom home with one bedroom downstairs and four upstairs.

Schooling

According to Hampshire County Council, the schools within the catchment area are:

Primary: Ashford Hill Primary School.

Secondary: The Clere School and Technology College.

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

Services

Central heating is oil fired.

Hot water is oil fired supplemented by solar PV panels.

Underfloor heating to the kitchen/diner, home office and utility.

Electricity, water and sewerage are all mains.

Broadband, according to Openreach, is available via Ultrafast Full Fibre at up to 1800Mbps.

Mobile, according to Vodafone, is a 4G service that’s “Good indoors and outdoors”.

Council

The local authority is Basingstoke and Deane and the Council Tax band is F.

Tenure

Freehold.

EPC rating: D. Council tax band: F, Tenure: Freehold,