For Sale9 Bedroom Detached House in Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8£4,250,000

An outstanding arts and crafts Grade II* listed country house, designed and built in 1897. Bowden dates from 1897, having been designed and built by the Arts & Crafts architect Arnold Mitchell, for Sir Benjamin Baker, the civil engineer who was best known for his involvement in the design and building of the Forth rail bridge, as well as the development of the early underground railways in London. More recently the house was owned by Pangbourne College and used as the junior school. Since the current owners bought the house in 2004, they have carried out a comprehensive refurbishment and re-modelling, preserving all of the original architectural and decorative features, including William Morris patterned mirrored inserts, William de Morgan tiled fireplaces, wood panelling and herringbone wood block flooring. The house now offers outstanding family and entertaining accommodation. Bowden is entered through the central reception hall, with open fireplace and wood block herringbone floor and panelling. A door leads through to the drawing room with its large inglenook fireplace, bay windows and door through to the party room with ionic columns and wood wall panelling running the length of the room, with inset benches along either side and a magnificent barrel vaulted ceiling, with ornate floral mouldings. The ground floor also comprises the wood panelled dining room , with open fireplace, TV room and snug, as well as the large kitchen with family sitting and dining areas with wood burner. The fully equipped kitchen has a large central island and access to the utility room, boiler room and rear lobby with separate WC and shower room. The first and second floors comprise generously proportioned rooms, including the large principal bedroom with its own bathroom with shower, with access to a wonderful library/study over the party room. Two of the bedrooms have en suite shower rooms and the further six bedrooms share two family bathrooms and a separate first floor WC. A secondary staircase from the kitchen leads up to the first floor of the north wing, which could be used for staff. The layout of the accommodation can be found in the enclosed floorplans.