Location
Doannee House has a prime setting within the highly regarded Fisheries Estate, on a rare stretch of the Thames that benefits from a flood relief scheme and has not flooded for more than 20 years. The property is in an enviable position between Maidenhead and the neighbouring village of Bray, which is renowned for its cosy English pubs and array of Michelin-starred restaurants including the Fat Duck and Waterside Inn, which can be accessed via boat. Also accessible by boat or road in approximately ten minutes is the newly opened Soho River House members' club. Bray has day-to-day amenities while Maidenhead and Windsor have extensive shopping and services, leisure facilities and entertainment venues. Sporting and leisure facilities in the area include golf at Maidenhead, Taplow, Marlow, Cookham and Henley; horse racing at Windsor and Ascot; riding in Windsor Great Park; flying at White Waltham; and boating on the river Thames. There is a cricket club and tennis courts within the village. Road communications are excellent, with the M4 J8/9 providing access to Heathrow Airport, London, the West Country and the M25. Elizabeth line services from Maidenhead are available to London Paddington (approx. 35 minutes). Schooling locally includes a variety of well-regarded private and state schools, including Claires Court in Maidenhead, Herries in Cookham Dean, St George's Windsor Castle, Sir William Borlase Grammar, Lambrook in Winkfield Row and Eton College. The property is also in the catchment for at least three Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools, as well as the state selective Reading School and Kendrick School.
Description
Doannee House occupies a highly coveted position on the exclusive Fisheries Estate, on a quiet, private road with truly exceptional gardens backing directly onto the river Thames. The property was built in the early 1900s and its striking Tudor Revival black and white elevations make it stand out amongst its equally illustrious neighbours. The location is a highlight of this house, moments from the delightful village of Bray with its Michelin-starred dining, looking out onto the river where there is a private mooring and a charming boathouse set at the end of beautifully landscaped gardens. Internally the property is immaculately presented to a very high standard, with all the desired modern conveniences and generously proportioned rooms that are perfect for entertaining.
The original Edwardian character has been sympathetically combined with the more modern additions of this generously sized residence, with panelled walls, original wood floors, dado rails and coving complemented by elegant interiors that suit the age of the property. The vendors have made a number of additions as part of an overall renovation, including a handmade kitchen with premium Wolf appliances.
The accommodation is incredibly light and spacious, with almost 8,000 sq ft of space over three floors, including a fabulous wine cellar and extensive storage space at basement level. The reception hall is a welcoming room for receiving guests, opening to a formal dining room, a music room to the rear leading out to the elevated terrace, a drawing room and study. In the family part of the house, which also has a separate entrance, a vast open plan kitchen and family room runs from front to back, incorporating a dining area, the beautifully appointed kitchen and a seating area to the rear. There's also a TV room for relaxing time as a family.
All of the rooms at the back of the house have access onto the rear garden, with the reception rooms opening to the patio and two of the bedrooms upstairs having their own private balconies with commanding views up and down the river. The principal bedroom is a particular highlight, with its two separate dressing rooms and en suite bathrooms – the ideal space for couples. The remaining five bedrooms are all an excellent size and four are en suite, with the final bedroom having a dressing room and use of a family bathroom directly across the landing.
The house has been modernised throughout and is well equipped with an alarm, intercom system, two separate WiFi points and three phone lines.
The house sits directly on Fishery Road, with an integrated garage for three cars providing covered parking. The gardens to the rear are beautifully landscaped, with a terrace adjoining the house leading down to manicured lawns and the banks of the river, where there is a private mooring. There is also a detached wet boathouse and access to the river for swimming. The garden has been landscaped in such a way that the terrace, with its hot tub, decking areas and patio, are shielded from view from the river by mature shrubs and hedges – though there are uninterrupted views over the water, the gardens feel exceptionally private.