Property description
lift to first floor
Newbury 7.8 miles, Pangbourne 8 miles, Reading 11.1 miles, London 51.6 miles
A fabulous, luxury, 1st floor apartment within a handsome new building named The School Chambers. Apartment 69 is one of only six apartments within this exclusive building enjoying open and attractive views across the gardens of Chambers Court and the Quadrangle, which form the forecourt to one of the magnificent original buildings of Douai School. The School Chambers lies adjacent to open pastureland at one end and within a few minutes easy walking distance to the very beautiful wild flower meadows and the recently planted orchard, which form part of the communal grounds of Avalon. This apartment is set within the heart of this award winning Bewley Homes development and is now noted to be one of the most important developments of recent times in south east England. The apartment is light and spacious, beautifully fitted with outstanding technology, creating high levels of insulation which ensures that the costs are reduced to a minimum. This apartment is elegant, beautifully decorated and expensively fitted. Bewley Homes have achieved an attention to detail that must be without parallel.
Avalon has been created from the conversion of the historic, stunningly beautiful, Grade II listed, Douai School, together with a number of outstanding, recently constructed, modern properties enjoying enormous charm and character, which Robert Adam, the world renowned architect of historic buildings, who worked closely with English Heritage, has created to complement the original abbey buildings. The new architecture has become a natural extension of the past relying heavily on purity of design and quality of materials and employing no architectural gimmicks. The formal grounds draw their inspiration from history with box hedging, a water rill, a flower meadow and small orchard, which will further improve the synergy between the old and the new; Ditcham Field has become a carpet of wild flowers for more informal enjoyment. Both the new and refurbished homes are designed to respect the historic buildings, whilst the interiors offer space and vibrate with technology.
History in Brief: In 1615, six English monks established a house of studies in Paris where they set about the training the young and English missionaries as well as ministering to British exiles, one of whom was James II. Surviving the turbulent times of the French Revolution, the Order relocated to the town of Douai, northern France. However, further religious intolerance and the confiscation of their premises precipitated their repatriation to the current site in Woolhampton, where their seminary was combined with St Mary`s College to form the famous Douai School, which sadly closed in 1999. Every stone, brick and square foot of Avalon, Douai Abbey grounds is a testament to the stoicism and fortitude of the Order of Benedictine monks who made the Abbey their home in 1903.
It is the wish of the developer, Colin Brooks, Chairman and founder of the well known national building company, Bewley Homes plc, that the purchasers of the property in Avalon, Douai School, will enjoy a life as peaceful as the surroundings and, with that view in mind, a full time estate manager has been employed to iron out all the day-to-day problems that may vary from looking after deliveries to management of the grounds and common areas.
It is very evident when arriving at Avalon that you are entering something very special. It is not only that immediately on entry to Abbey Gardens you pass the original Douai School buildings, but also it is the meticulous care in which the whole development has been designed and landscaped; an absolute delight to the eye.
Special Features: The French handmade kitchen which is complemented by the timeless and natural beauty of granite work surfaces which contrast elegantly against the warmth of the natural wood of the solid matching French wall and base units. The kitchen also enjoys fully integrated Bosch fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine/dryer, oven, microwave oven, and grill, and Dietrich 4-ring induction hob with extractor, and also a Dietrich coffee machine. * The sitting room is bright, spacious with double patio doors giving access to the balcony, which also runs along the front of the master bedroom which also has double patio doors, with room for a table and chairs a huge benefit in all seasons, especially in summer. * For the sporting enthusiast there is a playing field and a number of hard tennis courts with an active tennis club (club membership still available)
Local Facilities: There is a village shop at Bucklebury, where the Bladebone pub which has an excellent restaurant. Yattendon is not very far away with its world famous Royal Oak Country House Hotel and restaurant, a good PO/general store, a hairdresser, and a highly regarded Church of England primary school. There is a post office, newsagent, pubs/restaurants in Woolhampton approximately one mile at the bottom of the hill, a Waitrose in Thatcham approximately 4 miles, and in Calcot at Junction 12 of the M4 there is a large Sainsburys hypermarket approximately 15 minutes by car. Sporting facilities are open to public membership at the Bradfield College sports complex which has a fitness centre, squash courts, indoor tennis courts, a fine indoor swimming pool, and many other activities. Bradfield College also has a 9-hole golf course and it is understood that membership is still open. Schools within easy driving distance include Elstree, St Finian`s, Bradfield College, Pangbourne College, and Downe House. There is a doctors` practice at Chapel Row, Bucklebury, which is just up the road. Excellent rail connections giving intercity fast train services will be found from Midgham and Aldermaston both approximately 1.5 miles, Pangbourne or Theale. Pangbourne has a large selection of specialist shops and access to the River Thames and riverside pubs.
Although this property enjoys rural seclusion, peace and tranquillity, it is still within easy driving distance of large commercial centres and main lines of communication by road and rail to other large commercial centres. A very convenient place to live.
SUMMARY OF ACCOMMODATION: Entrance hall, sitting room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room. Detached garage in separate block with electric up and over doors. Zurich New Build guarantee. This apartment also has a video entry system, a lift and also a staircase from the elegantly appointed communal reception hall and first floor landing, both are furnished and have flower arrangements.
Maintenance Charge: £203.00 per month which includes a full time estate manager, garden maintenance, etc.
Tenure: Leasehold - 999 years from 2004.
Communal Gardens: Approximately 12 acres of formal gardens, meadow and woodland.
DIRECTIONS: From the offices of Dudley Singleton turn left, proceed out of the village passing through Tidmarsh, over the top of the M4 and turn right signposted to Bradfield. Proceed as far as you can along this road, passing through the heart of Bradfield College, until you reach a sloping T-junction with a War Memorial on your left. Turn right. Proceed through Bradfield Southend eventually entering the Avenue of Oaks. At the end of the Avenue of Oaks, where there is a village shop on your right, a cafe on your left, and the Bladebone pub, turn left. This is Hatch Lane. Proceed to the bottom of Hatch Lane where there is a little grass island and a T-junction. Turn left. Proceed down this road which eventually leads you past a fine church and the Abbey buildings. At the T-junction turn left and immediately left into Abbey Gardens. Proceed into the heart of the development passing the entrance to the underground car park, bear right and a short distance along turn right into a forecourt between two sets of garages where there is a visitor`s car parking area with a footpath leading to the front entrance.
SERVICES: Mains water, electricity and drainage, electric heating.
Post Code: RG7 5TZ.
LOCAL AUTHORITY: West Berkshire Council. Tel: 01635 42400.
Viewing by arrangement with vendor`s agent, Dudley Singleton & Daughter,
No. 1 Station Road,
Pangbourne,
Berkshire,
RG8 7AN. Tel:
Tel: 0118 984 2662
Fax: 0118 984 5490
Email: info@singletonanddaughter.co.uk
London Office : Cashel House, 15 Thayer Street, London, W1.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Dudley Singleton & Daughter for themselves and for the vendors of this property, whose agents they are, give notice that:
1. The particulars are intended to give a fair and substantially correct overall description for the guidance of intending purchasers, and do not constitute part of an offer or contract. No responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of individual items. We relied upon our own brief inspection and information supplied to us by the vendors. (i) The description, including photographs of the property and its contents, are intended to be a guide only rather than a detailed and accurate report and inventory. (ii) Floor plans, measurements, areas and distances are intended to be approximately only. (iii) Prospective purchasers are strongly advised to check measurements. The position of bathroom fittings as shown on the plan is indicative only sizes, shapes and the exact locations may differ. Wall thicknesses, together with window and door sizes are approximate only and window and door openings are shown without frame details. (iv) Photographs are not necessarily comprehensive or current and no assumption should be made that any contents shown in them are included in the sale.
2. All descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permission for use and occupation and other details are given in good faith, and are believed to be correct, but any intending purchasers should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them:
3. No person in the employment of Dudley Singleton & Daughter has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property or these particulars, nor to enter into any contract relating to the property on behalf of the Vendor.
4. No responsibility can be accepted for any expenses incurred by intending purchasers in inspecting properties which have been sold, let or withdrawn.
NoticePlease note we have not tested any apparatus, fixtures, fittings, or services. Interested parties must undertake their own investigation into the working order of these items. All measurements are approximate and photographs provided for guidance only.
Property Features :
- Luxury Apartment
- Lift Access
- Two Bedrooms
- Handmade Kitchen
- Communal Gardens
- Parking and Garage
- Tennis Court
- No onward chain