6 bedroom house

Greenlands Farm is an attractive period farmhouse which is on the edge of the popular village of Silchester. The property has been extensively and sympathetically remodelled and extended by the current owners to provide spacious family accommodation, combining modern-day living with the original period character. At the heart of the house is the wonderful open plan kitchen/breakfast room which opens through to the orangery with stunning views towards the South Downs. There are three well-proportioned reception rooms all of which have fireplaces fitted with wood burning stoves, and the drawing room has doors out to the terrace and garden. These rooms are ideal for entertaining.

The principal bedroom is a generous size and takes full advantage of the spectacular views towards the Downs; and has an adjoining dressing room and bathroom. There are five further bedrooms, two of which have en suite facilities. There is also a family bathroom.

Adjoining the rear of the house a passageway leads through to the indoor swimming pool complex with sauna and shower, gymnasium, WC and covered summer dining area.

There are two entrances to the property both providing parking, one of which leads to a courtyard of outbuildings where there is an oak-framed three-bay garage, above which is an office. There is also a barn providing machinery and vehicle storage with staircase leading to a self-contained flat providing ancillary accommodation. The mature garden lies principally to the south with a large terrace running virtually the length of the rear of the house adjacent to the kitchen/orangery and drawing room, with lawns stretching down towards the hard tennis court. Beyond the formal garden is an area of pastureland.

In 2017, the vendor started to explore agricultural ideas further and growing grapes struck him as an interesting challenge. The name originated from the Roman garrison of Calleva, being less than half a mile away from the site. English viticulture was in the news winning medals around the world. The wine world was taking English wines far more seriously – and with good reason.

The fields are predominantly south-facing, the area to be planted always seemed to be warm and in 2018 he brought renowned vineyard experts to the site to give their opinions and advice on the suitability of the fields and terroir, soil samples were taken to ascertain the quality of the land.

There were positive responses to all. A local vineyard owner brought along his vigneron who looked at the soil and agreed. The 6-acre vineyard was planted in 2019 with 60% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 9% Pinot Meunier and 6% Rondo. At the same time, the vendor realised that vineyards were now becoming 'experience destinations'. There was already a stocked one-acre lake onsite with plenty of wildlife; a winery was added and completed in 2022. The vineyard is now certified organic. (Currently only about 80 of the 880 or-so UK vineyards are certified organic)

The Winery is in three parts. The far end, the tractor and machinery store, is high enough for wine tanks to be housed for wine-making onsite; the middle section has a mezzanine floor for storing consumables and downstairs there is plenty of space for bonded wine. The final section has a tasting room with bar and toilets on the first floor. In the tasting room upstairs the oak bar and windowsills were handmade from a 300-year-old tree from the land. Downstairs there is room for a cellar door facility complete with further toilets with showers, staff kitchen and office space.

NB: Planning Application has been submitted for retrospective permission for doors, windows and the balcony on the Winery Barn (Application
Number: 23/00425AKPD).

Former agricultural barn currently under residential planning application (22/03153/FUL). The barn is approximately 1693 sq ft and the conversion is for a three-bedroom residential dwelling set in grounds and pasture land of approximately 8.21 acres.

Greenlands Farm and Calleva Vineyard lie on the edge of village of Silchester on the Hampshire/Berkshire border between Reading and Basingstoke. It is about 0.5 mile from the centre of the village which is renowned for its historic importance given its Roman origins depicted by the remains of the walls of Calleva Atrebatum. Within the village is a public house, highly regarded primary school, village hall and church, as well as active football and cricket clubs.

There are some well-renowned schools close by which include Daneshill, Elstree, Cheam and Bradfield College to name but a few. Local facilities can be found in nearby Tadley with more extensive amenities in the major commercial centres of Basingstoke, Reading and Newbury.

There are good communication links with easy access to both the M3 and the M4 motorways, and fast and regular rail services from Basingstoke to Waterloo and Reading to Paddington, with a branch line station at Bramley linking to both.

Marketed by: Knight Frank, Covering North Hampshire