Rooms

The Story
With its careful blend of character and comfort, Hope Cottage in Sunningdale has been the perfect place to live for the past seven years, according to the current resident. She moved in with her children back in 2015 and agrees it has been everything she was looking for at the time. “We moved here from Egham, having been drawn to the area by the schools,” she explains. “Being able to walk to both Holy Trinity and Charters seemed absolutely fantastic.” She continues: “The area was appealing for many other reasons too – and the house itself was also ideal. We moved from a new build and I loved the character it offered, while also being spacious enough for us, with three good-sized bedrooms. I remember the first time I walked in here, thinking what a lovely feeling it had. People still remark on that when they visit – they often say how warm and friendly it feels.”

THE OLD AND THE NEW
Dating back to the Victorian era, the handsome, red-brick house certainly has an abundance of kerb appeal. Inside and out, it retains its cottage charm, with features such as cast-iron fireplaces, while also having been carefully enhanced and maintained. “We replaced the roof a year ago and also had new windows installed,” she says. “We opened up the back of the house, putting in new bi-folding doors that open on to the terrace, and we had a new kitchen and bathroom fitted.” She adds: “In all the work we have done here, we have tried to retain the character of the house, where it already existed. Places such as the kitchen and the shower room are, of course, very modern.”

GREAT FLEXIBILITY
The double-fronted house is set back from the road via a small front garden. It is entered through a lobby and then the hall, leading to a family room on the left and drawing room on the right. “This layout has worked very well for us – when the children were younger, I was able to close the door on the family room, with all their toys in, and keep the other room as more of a grown-up space,” she says. “Now they are older, the playroom is their television room. Having two spaces like this does offer flexibility.”

WALKING ON SUNSHINE
Double doors from the drawing room open into the kitchen dining room, which spans the back of the house. At one end there is a utility room, which has a door through to the garage; there is ample space in the kitchen area for food storage and preparation, and plenty of room by the bi-folding doors for a table and chairs. “This part of the house is where we spend much of our time, especially in the summer, when the doors on to the garden are open,” she observes. “On sunny days, the garden just feels like an extension of the house.”

COTTAGE COMFORT
All three bedrooms are situated on the first floor of the cottage, together with the family shower room, which has a large, double shower. “The two bedrooms to the front are a particularly good size and each has a lovely fireplace,” she says. “The back bedroom is smaller, but I do have a double bed in there. The rooms upstairs are nice as they retain that cottage feel.” To the rear of the garden is a large summer house, with wooden flooring and storage. This adds yet more flexibility to Hope Cottage. “The previous owner had this as her office,” she recalls. “I use it as storage, but it could have all sorts of uses, from a children’s playroom to an outdoor living space.”

IDEAL PLACE
The location of the house has worked well for the family. In addition to its proximity to schools, it is well placed for the recreation park, train station and supermarket. It is also easy to pick up motorway connections to other parts of the country for travel by road. “This has been such a great place us to live – I could take the children out to play so easily when they were younger and now my daughter can walk down to the station safely on her own or to a coffee shop to meet her friends,” she adds. “We have been very happy living here. The house itself has been everything we were looking for and the location has been perfect for bringing up children.”

SETTING THE SCENE
To the rear of the house, bi-folding doors pull back on to a terrace and then the garden. In warmer weather, this outside space is a real sun trap and is ideal for children to play in and for adults to entertain or relax. A summer house, which has been an office in the past, could have a range of potential uses.

Agents Note
Council Tax Band: E Freehold Windsor & Maidenhead Council

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.