Theale, Reading

Located on the River Kennet, this Georgian house dates back to 1800. The ruins of the original Georgian paper mill are still found within the grounds of the property. It was purchased by our clients in 2011 and is the former home of the singer and song writer Kate Bush who repurposed the outbuildings to house a dance and recording studio. The current owners have invested heavily to create what exists today which included significant repairs and maintenance to the to the mill, and reconstructing the river banks.

Listed Grade II, the main residence is a refurbished and modernised, red-brick, Georgian period house which as part of the full renovation and upgrading programme in 2015 was taken back to the bare brick and has seen the addition of a striking, contemporary glass extension, perfectly contrasting the period features with the new. The footprint of the house has increased in size by 50%. The house has four double bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms. The principal bedroom measures nearly 500 sq ft in size and has views down onto water and the historic remains of the water mill. There are a number of downstairs reception rooms, allowing for a various uses with a drawing room, relaxed sitting room, study, and library. Arguably the most impressive room is the spectacular glass extension, orangery measuring nearly 1200 sq ft and enjoying exceptional views across the gardens and the river with a modern 75ft steel and tile footbridge as a central feature. The high-end Smallbone kitchen includes Gaggenenau appliances and, also has a secondary prep kitchen and is then, via a glass link connected to a large laundry and boot room with access to a wide double garage, easily capable of accommodating large, modern vehicles. The entire house benefits from underfloor heating as well as air conditioning and air recirculation. The property is extremely environmentally efficient and heated and cooled via air source heat pumps.

Other accommodation exists in the form of firstly the former recording studio which has been transformed into a smart three bedroom property with a living room and kitchen, where there is also additional garaging in the form of a triple garage, meaning five in total. There is also a Victorian period, two bedroom, two bathroom cottage with an orangery extension which has proved very comfortable for equally guests and staff in the past. There is also another building which was formerly a dance / rehearsal studio with views onto the Kennet which is currently useful for storage but subject to planning has potential to be repurposed.

This property has 22.54 acres of land.