Rooms

The Story
It took a long time to find a house the whole family was happy with, but when they came across the exclusive Longbourn development in Windsor, they knew they had found their perfect home. “When we first saw the house 16 years ago there was nothing there but its foundations, yet we saw the show home and all agreed it was exactly what we were looking for,” says the owner. “We had spent the past three or four months searching for the right place, but nothing was as lovely as this. It was beautifully designed, with up to seven large bedrooms, including a very impressive master bedroom, with a walk-in dressing room and a sizeable en suite bathroom. The family areas downstairs were exactly what we were looking for and the garden was also very spacious.”

BEAUTIFUL HOME
The family first saw the house, which is set on a tranquil, prestigious cul-de-sac, within a gated development in Windsor, at the very beginning of 2005 and by May they were able to move in. “We enjoyed watching it go up and have been so pleased with it that we have changed very little,” he recalls. “At one time we made the ground-floor cloakroom into a shower room for my mother-in-law who was using one of the reception rooms as a bedroom, but otherwise it has simply been a case of redecorating and keeping the house well maintained.”

AN EASY FLOW
Light and airy throughout, the accommodation at the property is well-proportioned and designed for comfortable family living, as well as entertaining family and friends and celebrating special occasions. The property is entered via a portico giving on to a wide reception hall; double doors to either side then lead into a long drawing room and a study. More double doors from the drawing room give on to a dining room, which in turn features French windows on to the garden. The large kitchen breakfast room is at the back of the house, adjoining the dining room and a utility room leading to the double garage. “The rooms flow very nicely on to each other and then out into the garden,” he observes. “This works especially well when we have had lots of people for family weddings, graduations and other special occasions.”

SUMPTUOUS BEDROOMS
Four of the sumptuous bedrooms at the Longbourn house are situated on the first floor, fanning off from a beautiful, galleried landing. These include the capacious master suite and three additional bedrooms that share the family bathroom. One of these is especially generous in size, it benefits from skylight windows and could have a variety of uses, from teenage den to home office. “We currently have it arranged as a gym,” the owner explains. Three more bedrooms and another family bathroom can be found on the second floor of the house. One bedroom has an en suite bathroom and the other has a dressing room. “There is so much flexibility here, not only because the house can accommodate so many people very comfortably but also because the rooms lend themselves to a variety of uses. Our youngest son, who is now grown-up, currently has the use of the whole of the top floor.” .

OUTDOOR LIVING
With French windows from the dining room and the kitchen opening on to a large terrace, the property also lends itself well to indoor-outdoor living. This superb space is excellent for summer barbecues and garden parties. “We have had a marquee out here for more than 200 guests on occasion, with people coming from all over the world.” Beyond the terrace is a wooded, parkland area. “We did clear some of this to open it up a little when we arrived, but we do still have some very beautiful trees here,” he says. “This does give the garden a very natural feel. It is nice to sit on the terrace and watch the squirrels in the branches.”

SUPERB LOCATION
The central Windsor location of the house has made it easy for friends and relatives to visit and for the family themselves to travel when necessary. “We are well positioned here for the M4 and M25, as well as for railway stations with trains into London,” he says. “There are good schools; it is easy to get to the shops in Windsor and Slough, and to lots of wonderful places to walk, such as Windsor Great Park and the river.” Now downsizing, the owners admit they will miss the tranquillity of the setting combined with its exceptional convenience. “We have also loved all the space here,” he adds. “We will miss living somewhere where the houses enjoy their privacy yet are also part of a friendly community.”

SETTING THE SCENE
The splendid house is set on a peaceful cul-de-sac. To the front, there is a small garden, a driveway providing off-road parking and a double garage. To the rear, the house opens up on to a magnificent outside space, with a large terrace and wooded, parkland garden

Disclaimer
Chewton Rose Estate Agents is the seller's agent for this property. Your conveyancer is legally responsible for ensuring any purchase agreement fully protects your position. We make detailed enquiries of the seller to ensure the information provided is as accurate as possible. Please inform us if you become aware of any information being inaccurate.