Property description

Enjoying an idyllic setting within 3 acres of wonderful gardens and grounds, The Orchards is an appealing Edwardian country house that enjoys tranquil seclusion and offers a secluded retreat from modern life. Dating back to the early 1900s, the house has been beautifully and sympathetically renovated, and original features are complemented by well-considered modern additions that blend to create a mix of elegance and style. Internally, and faithful to its period, the light and airy rooms are generously proportioned with high ceilings and combine to provide flexible living space that is equally suited to both family living and formal entertaining.

The ground floor is entered via a welcoming reception hall that sets the tone for the house with its sense of light and space, and attractive limestone and granite flooring. The principal reception room is the impressive sitting room, uniquely entered via ornate double wrought-iron doors. This wonderful room has a grand yet cosy atmosphere with oak wall panelling and mellow parquet flooring combining to enhance the sense of warmth; a stone fireplace acts as a focal point. The parquet flooring extends through to the hallway, the spacious family room which features a stone fireplace, and the dining room, also with a fireplace. The reception rooms, combined with the kitchen/breakfast room, provide superb entertaining and relaxation space.

The hub of the home is the light and airy kitchen/breakfast room with direct access to the rear terrace via double doors, and is ideal for informal dining, with ample space for a dining table and chairs. The kitchen is fitted with a comprehensive and bespoke range of units with granite worksurfaces, and incorporates an aga. There is an adjacent utility area/boot room, whilst situated off the reception hall is a dedicated laundry room, a separate cloakroom, and a door providing access to the spacious cellar that provides useful storage space.

On the first floor, the generous principal bedroom and bedroom 2 both enjoy lovely views across National Trust Land and have access to a Jack and Jill shower room. The principal bedroom also has the use of a walk-in wardrobe and the adjoining, Jack and Jill family bathroom with parquet flooring and a standalone ‘ball and claw’ footed bath. Bedroom 3 is also en suite to the family bathroom and there are three additional bedrooms, two with en suite shower rooms.

In addition to the main house, there is ancillary accommodation in the form of a 2-bedroom self-contained annexe (West Orchards Cottage). It currently provides a rental income but could easily be reinstated as an integral part of the house if wished (subject to any necessary consents). There is also Sunflower Cottage, a separate discreetly positioned 2-bedroom cottage with a garage, also currently providing an income stream.

The Orchards enjoys an enviable semi-rural position adjoining hundreds of acres of National Trust Land and Pinkneys Green yet is within easy reach of both Maidenhead and Marlow town centres. The property is supremely located for the M40 (J4) via the A404 and the M4 (J8/9) which provides access to London, the West Country, Heathrow Airport, the M25 and the national motorway network. Rail access to London (Paddington) is available from Maidenhead station (due to benefit from Crossrail, the new high-speed service) and to Marylebone from High Wycombe.

The picturesque riverside town of Marlow is about 3 miles away and offers an excellent range of shops, restaurants and cafes whilst more extensive amenities may be enjoyed at Maidenhead, Windsor, Henley and Reading.

There are good local walks and the viewpoint on Winter Hill offers fine views over the River Thames. Sporting/leisure facilities in the area include local village cricket at Pinkneys Green, The Magnet Leisure Centre and David Lloyd Centre in Maidenhead; golf at Winter Hill, Maidenhead, Marlow, Temple and Harleyford golf clubs; horse racing at Windsor, Ascot and Newbury; rowing on the River Thames.

The area is renowned for its well regarded schools, in both the state and independent sectors, and include Herries in Cookham Dean, Cookham Dean Primary School, St. Piran’s and Claires Court in Maidenhead, Sir William Borlase Grammar in Marlow and Wycombe Abbey for girls in High Wycombe.

The grounds are a wonderful feature of the property and provide an outstanding setting for the house. It enjoys a secluded situation and is approached via electrically operated double gates opening onto a sweeping gravelled driveway flanked by topiary ball bushes and culminating in a large turning circle.

The gardens and grounds extend to in excess of 3 acres and include areas of formal gardens, an enclosed ‘secret garden’, and a paddock. There is also a swimming pool area enclosed by clipped conifer hedging, containing a pool that is in need of renovation to bring it back to its full splendour, and a thatched timber building, open to three sides, that could be converted into a changing room. To the rear of the house is a south-westerly facing terrace that may be reached from the kitchen/breakfast room, and an attractive parterre garden; a large arched timber gate provides vehicular access from the lane. A further terrace to the side of the house, accessed from the sitting and family rooms, provides additional seating and relaxation space.

Situated to the side of the turning circle at the front of the house is the garaging which may be accessed from the lane, an office on the floor above, the adjacent barn store and Sunflower Cottage (discreetly positioned behind clipped hedging). Outbuildings include a brick-built summerhouse with windows and a fireplace, a potting shed, greenhouse, and storage sheds. To the north east of the property lies the paddock with a further outbuilding housing the gym and offices.
Amenities

3 Reception rooms

Kitchen/breakfast room

Laundry room, utility room, cloakroom, cellar

6 Bedrooms (4 with en suite facilities)

2 Bedroom self-contained annexe

2 Bedroom cottage with garden & garage

Detached gym/office building

Double garage with office above

3.15 acres of landscaped gardens & grounds

Outbuildings