Detached house for sale in Fishery Road, Bray, Berkshire SL6

An exceptional family riverside Edwardian residence.

Description
The Minstrels forms part of an impressive Edwardian riverside residence, designed by the architect Mr Clifton Davy, for Mrs Brown Potter, a popular and successful actress of the period. The house is situated on a particularly beautiful stretch of the River Thames and reputedly was once the home of Lillie Langtry who was visited by Edward VII.

This superb home was created by the division of a substantial riverside mansion built at the turn of the 20th century and offers approximately 4,681. Sq. Ft. Of stylish living space incorporating many original and interesting features.

Description

An outstanding family home that has been beautifully and sympathetically improved by the present owners to create a truly stunning interior that successfully combines features of the period with luxuries of modern day living. Extreme care and attention to detail has resulted in a most appealing and fascinating property, equally suited to both family living and formal entertaining. The generously proportioned accommodation is light and gracious with high ceilings, as expected in a property of this style, and offers a rare opportunity for those seeking a property of immense character and charm.

Internally, the house is rich in exposed beams and boasts many additional features including a minstrels' gallery overlooking the dining room, mellow oak wall panelling and warm air heating in both the drawing room and dining room, period fireplaces, limestone flooring throughout much of the ground floor, under-floor heating, leaded light windows and heavy oak doors. In addition to the main house, there is ancillary accommodation in the form of a self-contained staff/guest annexe comprising a kitchen, bed/sitting room and en suite shower room.

Ground floor

The reception hall creates a welcoming impression upon entering the house and boasts a stone fireplace and attractive limestone flooring that extends through to the kitchen/breakfast room. The remarkable drawing room features large picture windows and window seats, designed to take full advantage of the view of the river and countryside beyond, and interconnects with the generously proportioned dining room, thereby providing excellent entertaining space. The dining room is a particularly interesting room with its minstrels' gallery providing additional interest and it enjoys direct access to the gardens and swimming pool area via a large oak door. Both of these rooms are oak panelled with large inglenook style fireplaces as focal points. Adjoining the drawing room is a study and located off the reception hall are steps rising up to the minstrels' gallery and a further set of steps leading down to a lobby area where there is a cloakroom and a secondary entrance door.

The bright and spacious 'Clive Christian' kitchen/breakfast room is comprehensively fitted with a range of units, a Welsh-style dresser, granite worksurfaces, a breakfast bar and integral appliances including a Miele dishwasher and us style fridge/freezer. Of particular note is the luxury of two Agas, one gas and the other electric, and the limestone flooring which is complemented by under-floor heating.

Ancillary accommodation

In addition to the main accommodation, there is a self-contained annexe comprising a fitted kitchen, a bed/sitting room with fitted wardrobes and an en suite shower room. This annexe benefits from its own private entrance and provides ideal staff/guest accommodation. Alternatively, it may be reached via a door from the kitchen/breakfast room.

First floor

The elegant master bedroom enjoys superb views of the river and countryside beyond and benefits from an en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower cubicle and a white suite incorporating a 'ball and claw' footed stand-alone bath. Bedroom 2 is fitted with wardrobe cupboards and has an en suite bathroom with a white suite incorporating an Axor Hansgrohe shower/bath whilst Bedroom 3 benefits from a walk-in dressing room with two walls of fitted wardrobe cupboards. There are three further bedrooms, all with fitted cupboards, and a family bathroom with a white suite incorporating twin vanity units and an Axor Hansgrohe shower/bath. Situated off the hallway are numerous built-in linen/storage cupboards and folding doors open up to a useful utility area with an integral worksurface and plumbing/wiring for appliances.

Outside

To the front, the main entrance to the house is elevated and the arched double entrance doors are approached via a flight of steps. Access is also available via a secondary entrance door to the front of the house and via a pedestrian gate and pathway leading to a further entrance situated at the side of the house.

To the rear, the house is complemented by the meticulously maintained riverside gardens that, whilst being immensely 'child-friendly', have been designed and created to provide a good deal of visual interest. Adjoining the house is a loggia providing excellent 'al fresco' dining/relaxation space and an adjacent decked terrace with inset heated swimming pool, all securely enclosed by wrought iron balustrading with gated access. The remainder of the garden is principally laid to lawn and a gravelled pathway edged with clipped hedging and topiary leads down to the paved landing stage and 75 ft. Mooring. This area is again enclosed by iron railings with gated access - an essential part of child safety.

N.B. The property benefits from a garage, situated in a detached block.

Location
The Minstrels occupies an enviable position within the highly regarded Fisheries Estate, less than a mile away from the picturesque village of Bray with its impressive array of restaurants and public houses, including the renowned Michelin starred Fat Duck and the Waterside Inn.

Maidenhead town centre offers an excellent range of shopping and leisure amenities whilst further facilities may be found in Windsor.

The M4 motorway (accessed via Junction 8/9) provides access to Heathrow Airport, London, the West Country and the M25 whilst rail connections are available to London ( Paddington) from both Taplow and Maidenhead (journey time from approx. 35 minutes) from which the Elizabeth Line the new high speed
now operates.

Sporting/leisure facilities in the area include golf at Maidenhead, Taplow, Marlow, Cookham and Henley, the
new Braywick Leisure Centre, horse racing at Windsor and Ascot, polo and horse riding in Windsor Great Park, flying at White Waltham Airfield and boating on the River Thames. In addition, there is a cricket club and tennis court within the village.

There is an extensive range of schools in the area including Claires Court in Maidenhead, Herries in Cookham Dean, St. George’s Windsor Castle, Upton House in Windsor, Lambrooke in Winkfield Row and Eton College.

Square Footage: 4,928 sq ft





Additional Info
Photography 2022

Mains drainage, water, electricity