Situated in a prime semi-rural position on Bucklebury Alley is this detached and spacious family home from the early 1900s which occupies a very pleasant spot surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and with views over the school fields of Downe House to the rear, within the very popular and easily commutable village of Cold Ash. The house has been updated over the years while retaining much of its turn-of-the-century character including attractive windows, tiled and parquet floors, exposed beams and wood wall panelling and doors. More modern additions include a country-style kitchen, which is fitted within bespoke cabinetry, a large central island and an aga, with space for a breakfast table making it the ideal heart of the family home. In addition to this there is a separate formal dining room – one of four reception rooms – which has an impressive fireplace and double doors linking it to the family room creating the ideal setting for large family celebrations. The house is appointed to a high standard throughout and offers bright and airy interiors further enhanced by a mostly neutral colour scheme which provides the ideal blank canvas for personalisation.The accommodation is very spacious and offers more than 2800 sq ft of space across three floors, with a good feeling of flow throughout. The ground floor is accessed via an inviting entrance hall, which opens to a private study/home office at the front of the house, a separate family room with French doors opening to the garden, a formal dining room and a useful utility room. At the front of the house there is the spacious drawing room which is more than 23ft and has two bay windows overlooking the garden. The kitchen/dining room completes the ground floor.Upstairs, a generous landing leads to the four good-size bedrooms on the first floor, including a principal bedroom with dressing room and en suite bathroom. There are a further three good-size bedrooms and a family bath/shower room on the first floor, and a fifth bedroom on the second floor.A further highlight is the converted barn which is now an annexe, for guest accommodation or to facilitate multi-generational living for grandparents or older children. The detached annexe comprises a sitting room with dual aspect, a kitchen/dining room, bedroom and en suite shower room on the ground floor, with a further two bedrooms and shower room on the second floor.OutsideThe beautifully maintained grounds amount to approximately 0.68 acres and comprise lawns and mature trees and hedges, with an array of well-stocked flower and shrub borders providing seasonal colour and interest. To the side of the house there is a lovely south-west facing terrace which provides the ideal space for outdoor entertaining in the warmer months. The garden backs onto Downe House school field and is well enclosed by mature hedging on all sides making it feel extremely private.A sizeable gravel driveway approaches the house from a quiet lane and provides ample off-street parking for a number of cars. The attractive garage block has recently been converted and provides additional living space. There is a garden room which has power and heating; it’s been fully insulated and has double glazed doors and windows.SituationCold Ash is an attractive sizeable village situated about 4 miles northeast of Newbury. The village has a wide range of facilities including an infant and two primary schools, a pub and a village store, with further amenities available in the neighbouring town of Thatcham, where there is a Waitrose supermarket, Sainsbury’s and Tesco smaller supermarkets, a choice of schools, Post Office and a number of other services. In terms of secondary education Cold Ash is within the highly regarded The Downs School catchment area, while the popular boarding school Downe House is situated to the north of the village. Further schools include St Andrew’s, Elstree, Bradfield College, Brockhurst & Marlston and Pangbourne College. The M4 and M3 can be easily accessed for travel towards London and its airports or the West Country. Mainline trains run from Newbury or Reading into London Paddington whilst there is a regular service from Basingstoke to Waterloo. The area provides opportunities for scenic walks and country pursuits, with excellent riding country available locally.Additional InformationMains electricity and water. Oil fired central heating to the main house.Private drainage - Biodisc Treatment PlantElectric charging pointWest Berkshire Council Tax Band G