What happens to churches when they are no longer needed for worship? Around 20-25 Church of England churches are ‘closed’ each year and while some are given to trusts or charities, others fall into the hands of brave owners who renovate them for a unique, historic home.
In Grazeley, a village in Berkshire UK, a Victorian Grade II listed church emerged as a family home in 2017 after a lengthy restoration process – and it’s now come onto the market for the next owner to enjoy!
The church has become a five bedroom home of 3,500 sq. ft., joined by a further 1,400 sq. ft. from a converted Coach House, providing ample space for a family and their various interests and passions.
The church was built in 1850 and the conversion has celebrated some of the original features but also kitted this building up for modern, high-tech and comfortable living.
There is a new roof and flooring system with a self-supporting steel frame to accommodate the five bedrooms and living spaces across three floors. The property also has underfloor heating, a ventilation system, CCTV and energy-saving smart-home technology. It’s definitely much more than just a historic curiosity – it’s a functioning family home, albeit one with a story.
The ground floor is designed for open-plan living. The kitchen is open to a long breakfast bar and the spacious dining area (20 can be comfortably gathered around the table), with a lounging space beyond. The stained glass windows and pulpit, retained from the previous ‘life’ of this atmospheric building, add real character and historical depth to what still feels like a contemporary space.
This main space also has an impressive, bespoke feature light; it’ll cascade colour-changing LED light down 7.5m to create spectacular, mood enhancing effects for your dinner guests. The kitchen is kitted out to meet the highest ambitions of the home cook, complete with Quartz worktop and all the latest appliances.
Two additional floors have been carefully incorporated into the building to make use of the height without making the space feel cramped. There is a mezzanine level that works well as a sitting room and further enhances the feeling of shared living.
The ground floor has one further reception room (potentially suitable as a home office) and a double bedroom ideal for guests. A further four double bedrooms are on the higher levels, nestled within the original sloping roof and complete with built-in wardrobes and attractive views of the local countryside.
The bathrooms in the property are fitted with Villeroy and Boch sanitary ware, tiled and finished beautifully. As you’d hope, the top spot for bathing is within the master bedroom itself; a freestanding bath stands proudly beside the huge west window, providing pleasures at sunset (ideally with a beverage in hand).
The Coach House, a separate building, is the more recent conversion and has greatly extended the space and potential of this renovation. This annex space could be used for further guest accommodation, a home gym, a studio or a working space.
It won’t take long to dispel any nerves about church yard ghosts when you are in the grounds of this property, all of which have been expertly landscaped. There are two patios for al-fresco dining, one of which also has a hot tub. The Coach House has its own decking area which overlooks the lawns and a young orchard, providing privacy if that building were to be used as a private annex.
The driveway has parking for 12-15 cars and the road on which the home is located is quiet and private, with just three other properties. Indeed this is English rural village life at its best. The church overlooks the village pond and the countryside extends away in every direction providing lots of routes for walking, running and cycling from the doorstep.
Location:
The church is in Grazeley, Berkshire, a village with easy access to the M4. Heathrow Airport is less than 30 miles away and the regional train hub at Reading Train Station is just 5 miles away (from here it takes 23 mins to reach London Paddington by rail).
There are some excellent schools nearby (including Wellington College, Bradfield College, Queen Anne’s Caversham, Reading Bluecoat, The Abbey and Reading School) and some cosy country pubs within walking distance. More extensive entertainment, food and leisure options are available nearby in Reading.
Source: Rightmove. This property is being marketed by Unique Property Company.
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