Description
An exceptional and rare opportunity to acquire one of the finest country homes located in the area, set within approximately 4 acres of the most beautiful gardens and grounds with superb secondary, outbuildings and a two-bedroom annex. Mortimer House is a home of great architectural merit with nods to its Georgian heritage in abundance.
A wonderful history has seen Mortimer House evolve through the centuries. Constructed on land which formed part of Reading Abbey Manor, it was originally known as Bever House and was erected in 1774 as a three storey brick building with a slate roof. It was subsequently acquired by the Benyon family in 1808 in whose hands it stayed until 1976. After their acquisition the property was altered extensively with two storey front and side additions, a later single story rear addition and subsequent bay windows substantially elaborating on the original structure. One of these Victorian extensions provided a large two storey hall with superb flying staircase together with a glazed circular lantern which provides wonderful lighting for much of the interior.
Inside, the property has been extensively renovated and remodelled over the last 15 years. An innovative more classic style combines with the traditional features that without doubt, have resulted in a home of the highest quality showcasing an exemplary marriage of modern living in a period home.
Measuring almost 11,000 Sq. Ft, the house is on a wonderful scale ideal for modern family living and with a room for every eventuality. Whilst undeniably grand, it is a house that flows offering manageable space and a balance of formal reception rooms with more casual living spaces.
A substantial porch gives access to the reception hall and further to the stair hall and the magnificent staircase with a Cupola over, which allows light to flood this entire area. The original orangery has been converted to create a wonderful kitchen/family room, with a vaulted wooden ceiling and French doors giving access to the garden. There is a scullery immediately adjacent with access to a large covered porch which provides external storage. The scullery is a traditional feature which is large enough to prepare food and for washing activities leaving the kitchen as a place to dine and entertain.
The three largest reception rooms are situated to either side of the stair hall. The impressive drawing room with its feature bay window, shuttered windows and original plasterwork overlooks the formal lawns to the front with a door opening to an informal sitting room which enjoys parallel views over the grounds. Whilst the large dining room benefits from a side elevation view of the garden and has equally beautiful proportions, high ceilings, plasterwork and a fireplace. Whilst all separate, the arrangement of these rooms, with the inner hall, makes an ideal space for entertaining and hosting on a large scale. There is a games room with an opening to a cinema, with tiered seating making an excellent addition to the more relaxed style of the house. Opposite here is the entrance to the cellar which is fitted with storage for wine. To the other end of the hallway is access to a self-contained annex, with a bedroom, sitting room, kitchenette and bathroom, making an ideal for either ancillary accommodation, staff quarters or for guests. Across the northern side of the house is a large area for laundry including a boot room, utility and walk in safe.
Upstairs there is an excellent open landing which serves a large, luxurious master bedroom suite with two dressing rooms, a range of fitted wardrobes and a modern family bathroom. The views over the grounds from here are quite beautiful. There are three further bedrooms all of which have en suite bathrooms and excellent storage space. Additionally, there is a generous study on this floor, with fitted bookcases and views over the grounds.
The accommodation continues to the second floor encompassing a double bedroom with an en suite bathroom and a full suite comprising a bedroom adjacent to a bathroom with a sitting room.
The Cottage/Outbuildings
Adjacent to the entrance to Mortimer House, a self-contained cottage has been converted to residential accommodation from its original stable use. This superb secondary accommodation is ideal for staff, guests or extended families. It contains three bedrooms, two bathrooms, three reception rooms (including one large living room) and further accommodation. It has the benefit of a large garden area that is separate from the main house together with ancillary outbuildings.
Outside
Mortimer House has two points of access, the main is via electric gates into a courtyard area at the front providing ample parking and the other from a driveway with wooden gates that leads to a separate parking area. Within the courtyard is garaging for three cars and extensive outbuildings that provide ideal space for workshops and storage as well as shielding the plot. There is a timber framed building that has been previously used as a gym.
The grounds are beautiful and a splendid, balanced environment for the grandeur of Mortimer House, with views over the surrounding countryside, it has the feel of a rural setting. Set to each side of the house, the gardens are laid out in a series of linked open spaces including a highly attractive walled garden which contains an outside heated swimming pool that is both private and sheltered with an adjacent summer house for changing. To the East of the walled garden is a tennis court and pond. Dotted throughout the lawned areas are trees and planted bushes to provide an attractive setting for the house. In the north-eastern corner of the property is a small sewage treatment plant dealing solely with run-off from the property.
Situation.
Mortimer House is situated about 7 miles south of Reading town centre but is located in a quiet rural setting just outside the village of Mortimer, within 20 minutes by foot. The village has a good range of amenities including a small supermarket and other shops together with a doctor’s surgery, dentist, an excellent primary school, two churches and three public houses. It is the perfect environment for walking and riding with extensive footpaths and bridleways extending into the surrounding countryside as well as other sporting facilities within the village itself. Nearby Wokefield Park Hotel has an 18-hole golf course and a luxury Spa. Within close proximity of the village, is a good range of leisure facilities and country pursuits including local shoots and equestrian facilities. The well renowned racecourses of Newbury, Windsor and Ascot are within a short drive in addition to the Polo at the Royal Berkshire Club at Cranbourne.
Schooling in the close vicinity, and within commutable distance, is exceptional with a wide range of well reputed boarding and day options in both Prep and Senior schools including: Elstree, Ludgrove, Cheam and Horris Hill, Bradfield, Wellington, Downe House and Radley.
Whilst Mortimer House is semi-rural, it is particularly well connected to London and other parts of the country both by public and private transport. The property is just under eight minutes from Junction 11 of the M4 giving access to London and Bristol. Mortimer railway station is a very comfortable 12-minute walk away with services connecting to Reading Central (12 minutes) and south to Basingstoke (12minutes). Trains from Reading Central leave on a regular basis (approximately four per hour) to London Paddington (25 minutes) but new direct services beyond Paddington to the City will open shortly (QE2 Cross rail line – December 2022) giving access to London’s financial hub in about 60 minutes. Heathrow Airport is approximately 32 miles away and can be accessed in 45 to 60 minutes by car or local taxi service.
Services.
The property is connected to mains water and mains electric together with a private drainage arrangement. Heating is provided by a wood pellet boiler (Herz) situated in the garage block which serves all of the properties within the site.
It benefits from a Department of Energy RHI grant which has a further 12 to 13 years to run. This provides excellent heating to the whole of the house at minimal overall cost. The earlier heating system was provided by propane gas and this is still connected to the house serving the range cooker only.
* Gigaclear is available.
