Listed for £525,000
October 19, 2024
Sold for £268,000
2012
Sold for £250,000
2006
Sold for £122,500
1999
Sellers’ view: We have thoroughly enjoyed life in Arborfield Road since 2012. It was our first home together after we got married, an ideal project for us to renovate while working in London and South Oxfordshire, and the perfect first nest for our two children.
The 100-foot (30m) South-facing country-style garden is our oasis of peace in a busy world. Carefully planted with flowers, fruit trees, herbs and a large, raised vegetable patch, there’s also plenty of lawn for pets and children to play on, mature shade-giving trees and a wide slate-paved patio, with established mediterranean planting, which soaks up the sun and is a great spot for barbecues and summer meals al fresco. Historically known as St Edmund’s, the house was built in 1907 and benefits from its excellent village edge location, just a few yards away from footpaths and protected open green space. It is an easy walk away from the pharmacy, dentist and doctor’s surgery, shops (Post Office, Co op & Lidl), the Bell & Bottle pub with its excellent Thai takeaway kitchen on Friday and Saturday nights, and the School Green centre with its thriving café, cinema and function rooms with activities for all ages. There are two private nurseries within walking distance, as well as the Ofsted rated “Good” Shinfield Infant and Nursery School and Shinfield St Mary's CofE Junior School, a Scout Hut and several children’s play areas. Nearby Langley Mead, with its traditional wildflower meadow, offers over 18 hectares of countryside along the banks of the River Loddon, and is very popular with walkers, cyclists and runners as well as their four-legged friends. The bus stop at the top of the road takes you North to Reading station or South to Wokingham and junction 11 of the M4 is just 5 minutes away.
Sensitive to the Edwardian history of the house, when we added the single storey extension in 2019, we retained many of the period features, including the working fireplace in the living room with its original tile surround, and the two decorative fireplaces in the upstairs bedrooms. We sanded, varnished and re-laid the original solid wood floors in the dining room, living room and master bedroom and created a window seat in the downstairs bay window to provide extra storage and seating for guests.
The extension itself transformed a very dated, galley style kitchen into an open-plan family area, flooded with natural light and always warm, thanks to water-based underfloor heating beneath the natural stone floor, solid oak detail, cavity wall insulation and double-glazing. Opening the double French doors extends the interior space into the garden, laid with matching solid stone; great for entertaining and keeping an eye on children while doing the chores. The new kitchen is a pleasure to cook in, with plenty of space for everything, easy-to-clean induction hob and extra wide, hard-wearing 30mm Carrara quartz worktop. The kitchen cabinets, doors, drawers & sink have a 25-year guarantee, and IKEA Reading is just one junction along the M4 if you need help with anything.
There are two outbuildings. A single garage provides access to a private road and additional parking at the rear of the property. A timber clad studio, of exceptionally solid construction and comprising 15 square metres, includes a new professionally installed GRP roof and spectacular pyramidal roof lantern, ready for the new owner to outfit to their requirements as a workshop, gym or office. An additional electrical spur was specified and installed during the extension phase to provide the studio with power and light from the house.
Last but certainly not least, this house comes with lots of lovely neighbours who give the Arborfield Road a great sense of community. They are kind, helpful people who don’t take life too seriously and we wish we could take them all with us when we relocate to Dorset!
Area view: Nestled in the vibrant village of Shinfield, this property offers more than just a truly beautiful home; it’s surrounded by an array of local amenities perfect for families. Just a short distance away (literally at the end of the street), you’ll find Langley Mead, a picturesque green space ideal for walkers, dog walkers (I often walk there myself), cyclists, summer picnics and outdoor play. The incredible 'Happy Trails Play' nursery is nearby, providing a nurturing environment for young children. For those with a green thumb, local allotments offer the chance to grow your own vegetables and flowers with one situated across the road.
Convenience is at your doorstep with a Co-op in School Green, which is the heart of the local community and just around the corner, and a Lidl which is set to open in October 2024, ensuring easy grocery shopping. Families will appreciate the excellent local schools that cater to all ages, ensuring quality education within reach.
For entertainment and leisure, the recently renovated village centre often has various group classes on the schedule with rooms available for hire and the recently added Crumbs cafe inside too! For any movie fans the newly constructed Shinfield Studios are just around the corner, offering a glimpse into the creative heart of the community (but mainly Hollywood with Netflix, Disney and Sony already touted as regular users). Commuting is a breeze with easy access into Reading and Wokingham, as well as direct links to London via the M4, making this location perfect for city professionals.
With its charming character, spacious living, and a fantastic community, this property is a true gem for families seeking both comfort and a vibrant lifestyle. Don’t miss your chance to make this incredible house your new home!
Kiel's view: Welcome to this visually stunning, extended three-bedroom semi-detached family home in Arborfield Road, Shinfield — a perfect blend of character and modern living. Built in 1907, this charming residence has been thoughtfully updated while preserving its original charm, boasting elegant original fireplaces and beautiful wood flooring that echoes the history of the home. The side extension, completed in 2019, features luxurious underfloor heating and floods the open-plan living space with an abundance of natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere for family gatherings and entertaining. To the loft you will find a sizeable space offering future scope to expand the number of bedrooms as many others on the road have already done and the current owners have already had a Velux window installed; paving the way for this potential to be reached.
Step outside to discover a magnificent 100 ft rear garden, a true outdoor oasis for children to play, family barbecues, or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings. To the very bottom of the garden the current owners secured the opportunity to purchase rear access and land which offers a covered garage/porch space with secure doors and leads onto a partially constructed studio with wine cellar. With the outta shell in place the possibilities are truly exciting and it could simply be an impressive and peaceful home office, a business studio such as a salon, a summer house or just additional space which already includes a delightful skylight flooding the area with natural light whilst maximising privacy and without the need for planning permission. The friendly community (and incredible neighbours) only add to the appeal of this warm and welcoming home, making it ideal for families looking to settle down and create lasting memories.
Dates of works:
Like this property? Maybe you'll like these ones close by too.