Country estate with room to grow

SET within 39 acres of some of the most idyllic countryside in the Thames Valley, Hewins Wood House, near Bradfield, is its own private estate.

For the past 15 years, it has been home to Paul and Gail Pearce and their children, Lily and George, who moved from Windsor in search of space, privacy and a life immersed in nature.

Approached via a sweeping tree-lined driveway and nestled within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the main house is a substantial Victorian residence with later additions, extending to nearly 7,000 sq ft.

It offers six bedrooms, multiple reception rooms and original features throughout, including elegant fireplaces, sash windows and architectural flourishes that add character and charm.

A striking turreted extension, built in the Seventies, adds a distinctive touch, while the large roof terrace provides an elevated view across the paddocks and woodland that encircle the house.

The main house is accompanied by a separate annexe and a three-bedroom cottage, offering ideal accommodation for extended family, guests or staff. The extensive outbuildings, arranged across two separate yards, total nearly 10,000 sq ft and include stables, kennels, a log cabin, garages, workshops and barns.

For those seeking an investment opportunity, Hewins Wood House offers considerable scope. Planning permission was granted in 2023 to convert four of the existing barns into five new dwellings — ranging from two to five bedrooms. These are designed to reflect their agricultural heritage, with standing seam zinc roofs, timber cladding, anthracite aluminium windows and EV charging points.

Barn two, for instance, will become a single-storey five-bedroom home, while Barn six and Barn nine will be transformed into residences with generous living spaces and their own gardens. Pond Cottage has a Certificate of Lawful Use and could be upgraded for residential use as part of the estate.

Throughout their time at the property, the Pearce family made the most of its facilities. Lily kept horses here and competed with the Pangbourne equestrian team. The paddocks, totalling about 22 acres, are secure and well-watered, while the woodlands, comprising a further 17 acres, offer a tranquil retreat and a natural playground connected by private trails.

A natural pond, greenhouses and beautifully landscaped gardens (about four acres) provide further scope for both relaxation and self-sufficiency. A large, heated swimming pool with a changing room and stone terrace completes the lifestyle offering.

Despite its rural seclusion, Hewins Wood House is superbly positioned for commuting and access to London. Newbury, Reading, Pangbourne and Theale are all within easy reach and the train from Theale gets you to Paddington in under an hour. Bradfield College is a short distance away and offers excellent leisure and sports facilities to the public. The surrounding area is rich in history and character, from the ancient chalk stream known as the Pang, to the blue pools and sandy-bottomed springs that dot the landscape.

There is room on the flat paddocks for the addition of a helipad should future owners require one, and plenty of space for creative expansion or self-sustaining ventures.

Mr Pearce, once a dynamic and successful businessman, has recently been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, prompting the family’s difficult decision to downsize to a single-storey home locally.

The Pearces are passionate about raising awareness of the devastating impact of the disease on individuals and families alike and hope that by sharing their story, others may better understand the challenges it brings.

l Hewins Wood House has a guide price of £4,000,000. For more information and to arrange a viewing, call Warmingham & Co on (01491) 874144.