Straight out of a fairytale, the appropriately-named Mistletoe Cottage sits in its surroundings as if grown from them. On the market through Knight Frank at £945,000, this idyllic property is set on almost an acre of land in rural Berkshire.
Surprisingly unlisted, Mistletoe Cottage is full of wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling character. The kitchen is a wonderfully inviting room with bespoke fittings, a classic country AGA and an eating space, with french doors opening up onto the garden.
Joining the kitchen on the lower floor are three further reception areas, including a dining room for more-formal dinners, a lovely snug and a large sitting room. The house has a further downstairs room, currently in use as a study.
Up the stairs lie five bedrooms – a master and four smaller (but still well-proportioned) rooms. There is only one upstairs bathroom, shared by the master suite and the other large room, but one of the lower floor bathrooms has a bath and the unlisted nature of the property leaves room for new owners to make improvements, should they find this arrangement unsuitable.
All of the rooms are charmingly decorated in a fashion which makes use of the wealth of natural wood which appears throughout the property in exposed beams and support columns.
The far-reaching views available on one side of the property (the other three sides are bordered by mature trees) make up for the relatively modest-sized garden, offering swathes of Berkshire countryside as far as the eye can see.
Encompassing the property on all sides, the humble garden is much like the cottage itself; full of surprises. Sporting a substantial vegetable garden as well as a fruit garden, charming lawn and both and orchard and a pond, there is little room to imagine anything better suited to the grounds than what already exists.
Several outbuildings are currently used as a pot house and a storage, but have the flexibility to be transformed into a study space or even a home gym. There is potential for the plot to be further developed on one side with the addition of another house, subject to permissions being obtained.
Positioned in the sought-after hamlet of Inkpen, a network of quiet country lanes connect the property to the M4 and A34 beyond. The nearby market towns of Newbury and Hungerford as well as the village of Kintbury all boast mainline stations.
50 best places to live near London
The indispensable guide for getting into the country without ending up out of touch with the town.
The best places to live for commuters: Berkshire
Country Life has identified the best places to live in Berkshire within easy reach of London for commuters.
Credit: Knight Frank
Stunning Grade II-listed character property in Berkshire, half an hour from central London by the new Elizabeth line
With the Crossrail predicted to open later this year, homes in Berkshire are more attractive to city commuters than ever.
-
Period charm and contemporary tastes collide in an eight-bedroom listed home in DurhamMorton House is a rare example of a home where you can have the best of both worlds.
-
A charmingly unspoilt 17th century farmhouse for sale in the Cotswolds' 'Golden Triangle'Finstock Manor was once part of the Cornbury Park Estate and is now an elegant family home.
-
Tasburgh Hall: From a Buddhist centre to a seven-bedroom family home in 23 acresThe property, in Norfolk, was once four separate apartments, but has been lovingly re-stitched back together.
-
Old homes in new lights: A look at contemporary property photographyAttention is at a premium. Having the right image that will draw the maximum number of buyers has never been more important.
-
Five outstanding properties, from 3,000 acres in Wales to Robert Plant's old home, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
A villa from paradise on Koh Samui where the pool might be bigger than the houseSituated on the Samujana Estate, a filming location for the White Lotus, Villa 24 has got it all
-
A six bedroom Grade II-listed hall set in eight acres of serene grounds in NorfolkBrandiston Hall can trace its origins to the 17th century, but has been sensitively refurbished by its current owners.
-
Flower power: Garden features that could add the most value to your homeA nice garden is good for the mind, the soul and, apparently, your wallet.
