Reading Road, Heckfield

THE PROPERTY Ivy Cottage is a truly unique Grade II listed home, dating back to the 17th century, offering an abundance of character with exposed beams and fireplaces. The home is enhanced by striking additions; a particularly notable feature is the contemporary glass atrium, with a suspended walkway, making the most of the surrounding grounds, whilst connecting to a two storey addition. Remaining sympathetic to the property's original heritage, this additional living space offers a bright triple aspect reception room forming the hub of the home, with a wood burner and French doors to the garden terrace. This space connects to the country-style kitchen/breakfast room, well-equipped with an Aga and a utility room. An additional reception room with a connecting study makes a versatile addition to the ground floor. To the first floor is a modern family bathroom and four bedrooms, three of which are good sized doubles. As part of the newer addition, the master bedroom features an en suite and built-in wardrobes.

THE GROUNDS The established plot extends overs 0.43 acres and is well-screened by mature hedging to create a private setting. Largely laid to lawn, the grounds benefit from an adaptable detached outbuilding currently used as a home office, along with a detached double garage, with pre-planning consent to create an additional work or living space.

LOCATION This rural parish of Hart neighbours Hartley Wintney. The country setting offers footpaths, open fields and many period homes, including the notable Heckfield Place and Highfield House. It is well connected by the A33 that links to the M3 and the large towns of Basingstoke and Guildford. The B3011 links to the nearby villages of Hook and Hartley Wintney. Wellington Country Park is a short drive away, whilst a selection of reputable schools are in reach, including Daneshill, St Neots and Whitewater Primary.

OWNERS' COMMENT "We have lived in Ivy Cottage for 16 years. We bought the cottage because of its unique characteristics. It is rustic, lots of oak beams, oozes history, has no immediate neighbours and is a wild life haven. Bordered by an ancient wood to the north and east and an SSI to the south. In our time we have added to its charm and updated utilities for comfortable living. An oak beamed double Heritage garage, new oil boiler, a barn extension, garden landscaping, installed new sewage treatment and underground rain water storage well. A north and south patio lends itself to outside entertaining in summer and the oak dining room with log burner is the highlight for winter dinner parties and Christmas festivities. Located for ease of access to M3 and M4 and Cross Rail to London from Reading and Waterloo station from Hook. All the well-known Supermarkets are within 25 minutes' drive. The local garage even collects and returns your car for servicing!"

AGENT'S COMMENT "The current owners have skilfully linked the abundance of character in the original cottage to the very efficient modern extension by means of a stunning glazed walkway, which almost feels like you are walking from one part of the building to the other in the open air. Ivy Cottage was actually recognised in The Telegraph for this unique feature, in an article on how to successfully "bridge the gap from old to new" using the glass atrium as a perfect example of this."