You’ll fall in love with the sheer size, flexibility and potential of this superb 3,270 sq ft home. With everything on one level, Kookaburra is simply perfect for a growing family or multi-generational living. Much has been accomplished by the current owners with sparkling new décor in all the living areas, bedrooms and hallways. And with such a large plot there’s even the potential to extend further, perhaps to an upper level, subject to planning consent of course.
Bucklebury is blessed in that it combines a peaceful rural location with a choice of good state and independent schools, a local shop/post office, two pubs and a vibrant, friendly community. Polo ponies graze the field opposite, you can’t get much more idyllic than that!
A super-luxe home with so much space and potential
Located in a neighbourhood of similar exclusive homes, Kookaburra sits centrally in its generous plot protected by CCTV cameras, well back from the road behind substantial brick walls, hedging and a newly installed electric gate. It slides open onto a wide gravel driveway and turning circle where there’s loads of parking space.
The front door opens into an inner lobby and then, via double doors, the splendid light-filled L-shaped hallway which accesses the bedroom wing to the left and, to the right, flows seamlessly via the reception rooms and office into the kitchen.
On the right, the freshly decorated cloakroom/WC sets the benchmark for the work the current owners have carried out with its chic wood panelling and designer wallpaper, and there’s a lovely sunny office/study next to this.
Across the hallway, double doors access the 25x22ft L-shaped living room – and it’s a real wow! Radiant in oodles of natural light from two sets of patio doors that open onto the expansive outdoor terrace, the corner focus is a cinema-style TV with a feature electric fire beneath. Sofas fit nicely in one corner while the rest of the room can be zoned as you wish – perhaps with a dining table and chairs or by adding comfy recliners in front of the bifolds to enjoy the views of the garden.
Next to this is a formal 12x15ft dining room which is perfect for throwing candlelit dinner parties – the patio doors can be slid open on balmy summer’s evenings. However, if you prefer a big open-plan living area, it could be possible (subject to planning consent) to remove the wall between the living room and dining room and another with the kitchen to create one impressive free-flow space.
A dazzling kitchen
The triple-aspect kitchen lies at the end of the hallway and it’s dazzling! Beautifully designed and fitted with a carefully considered collection of high specification white cabinetry under quartz worktops and Miele integrated full-height freezer, full-height fridge, dishwasher and under-counter fridge plus a Quooker five-way tap, this is the perfect family-sized kitchen and the undoubted hub of the home.
A beautiful central island has space for four bar stools and is designed in a gentle curve. It’s sure to be well used – for quick breakfasts, coffee breaks, children’s homework or guests enjoying a drink and a chat while the chef of the house rustles up dinner. A five-ring induction Bertazzoni stove and two freestanding wine fridges are also in situ and available by separate negotiation. There’s banquette-style seating in one corner which, with the addition of a kitchen table, makes it ideal for family suppers.
The recently refurbished utility/boot room has plenty of useful cupboards and drawers, a sink and plumbing for washing machine and dryer. There’s two exterior doors – one to the rear terrace and another, via a porch lobby, to the side patio. Doubling as a boot room, it’s a countryside essential for mopping up the detritus of muddy walks!
Sleep well
The five bedrooms line the left hand wing of Kookaburra, and they’re all doubles. Occupying the far end of the wing is the freshly refurbished principal bedroom with a large en-suite bathroom. Beautifully designed and decorated, the 21x20ft bedroom is light and bright, equipped with all the fitted furniture you could require along with a walk-in cupboard. A door opens directly onto the pool – perfect for an early morning swim before the children get up!
Two of the bedrooms also work perfectly as a separate annexe with a door and small hallway for privacy, a bedroom with fitted wardrobes, shower room and sitting room with patio doors to a small paved seating area. There’s a further en-suite bedroom and a small double next to the principal bedroom. A family bathroom completes the line-up.
Gardeners’ world
Kookaburra’s delightful, low maintenance garden has something for everyone within its walled and fenced border.
With a curvaceous lawn to the left of the front garden, a double garage with electric door and eaves storage lies to the right and access to the rear garden is via a wrought iron gate in a high brick wall.
An attractive paved and gravelled patio to the side of the house catches the sun at mid-morning, so it’s a good spot for a bistro set in front of the wide cedar-panelled workshop which also houses the oil tank. There’s plenty of storage in two garden sheds and those with green fingers will love the greenhouse.
The undisputed centrepiece of the garden is the beautiful raised 10m x 5m swimming pool which has been totally upgraded by the current owners to make it super energy efficient. It’s now heated by air source heat pump and complete with an electric cover so it can be used all-year-round. Glass screening encircles the pool and you can relax in the pretty octagonal garden room at one corner.
A big tiled terrace enclosed by a low ornamental wall spans the rear of the house and is the premier spot for relaxing and entertaining, especially with the three sets of patio doors in the living room and dining room slid open to merge inside and out.
Another big expanse of lawn, well stocked borders, an ornamental pond and a variety of trees including a couple of ancient fruit trees make this garden an all-round winner.
Round and about
Leafy and lush, Bucklebury is the kind of country village that many aspire to make their home. There’s everything you need conveniently on the doorstep and you’re within a short drive of thriving big towns, in this case Reading and Newbury.
The village sits on the banks of the River Pang while the 900 rolling acres of Bucklebury Common are found to the south and are the perfect place for getting the wind in your hair out walking, cycling or riding.
The village shop/post office is the place to pick up a pint of milk or the daily paper and the village hall, memorial hall and church are busy all week with activities ranging from toddler group, ballet classes and badminton to pilates, horticultural and history societies. There’s a village playpark, thriving sports clubs, a bike track and tennis courts plus a popular café, The Blackbird, serving Med-style brunches, lunches and home-made cakes.
Local pubs include the 17th-century Bladebone Inn, a stylish gastro-pub full of history, and The Cottage Inn – a great family pub. Those in search of fine dining and Michelin stars are thoroughly spoiled with The Woodspeen, Renaissant and The Vineyard all within a short drive near Newbury.
Woolhampton Primary School is the nearest to Kookaburra and Bucklebury Primary School a little further – both are Ofsted-rated good. The nearest secondary is Kennet Comprehensive School at Thatcham, three miles, rated outstanding. Some of the country’s finest independent schools are within a ten-mile radius and include Elstree, Brockhurst & Marlston House, Padworth College, Bradfield College, Downe House, St Andrews and Cheam.
Youngsters will enjoy a visit to the renowned Bucklebury Farm Park where they can cuddle lambs, rabbits and baby goats or take a tractor safari through the deer park. The Living Rainforest is another family favourite with its tropical plant-filled greenhouses and the monkeys, birds and lizards that live there.
And when it comes to commuting Bucklebury is pretty much perfect as it’s so close to the A34 and M4 and a choice of railway stations, including Reading which whisks passengers to London Paddington in half an hour.
