Checkendon is a rural hamlet on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, 15 minutes drive from both the sleepy market town of Wallingford and the more aflluent Henley-on-Thames, famed for its rowing, celebrities, the many great restaurants, pubs and riverside walks. The pretty cottage has been recently renovated to a high standard while still retaining its charm. It is in the middle of the village near the village cricket green and church. Checkendon is not far from the larger cities of Oxford (30 miles) - for culture, theatre, art and the beautiful 'dreaming spires' and Reading (8 miles) for a 25 minute train to London.
Checkendon is a pretty, quiet village which the Chilterns Cycle Way runs right through and there are lots of lovely walks near by. The adjacent village of Stoke Row has two fantastic pubs which serve great food and a good village shop.
The space
Downstairs there is a good sized living room with a smart TV and a working open fireplace and a large open plan kitchen dining room. This has a range of modern appliances including boiling water tap, Fisher Paykel fridge with auto-ice maker, nespresso machine, two ovens and well-equiped kitchen. When extended the dining table can seat 12. This leads to a downstairs cloakroom and a laundry/boot room with washing machine.
Upstairs there are three double bedrooms, two large, one of which has an en suite shower/toilet, and a smaller double bedroom. There is also a modern family bathroom with both a shower and bath.
Guest access
The cottage is a two story building standing in its own plot and driveway. The garden is dog proof. There is a courtyard at the back which catches the morning sun (and has a firepit for the evenings) and when the sun makes its way to the pretty front garden, that's the best place to have afternoon tea.
Notes
There is a large garage where bikes can be stored and where there is an overflow fridge.
I’m looking for 2/3 day weekend swaps in UK or European cities, week long swaps by the sea or possibly longer swaps in Asianor Africa.
Features
Washer
Dishwasher
Clothes dryer
Oven
Microwave
Coffee machine
Fridge
Iron
Hair dryer
Heating
Air conditioning
TV
WiFi
High Speed Internet
Bathtub
First aid kit
Wheelchair accessible
Smoke alarms
Fire extinguisher
Bed sheets
Towels
Workspace
Fireplace
Home cinema
Toys
Gym
Sauna
BBQ
Pool
Hot tub
Balcony
Garden / yard
Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace
Covered porch / verandah
Kosher home
Meat-free kitchen
Gated community
EV Home Charger
Bikes
Camping gear
Kayak
Tennis court
Standup paddleboard
Travel Styles
Weekend
Romantic
Relaxing
Hiking
Cycling
House rules
Suitable for infants under 2
Suitable for children ages 2-12
Pets welcome
No smoking
Dates of Availability
Click on availability periods to see exchange types and descriptions.
Neighbourhood
This is great walking and cycling country. Walks directly from the house are mostly in beechwoods with wondeful bluebells in May, but if you are prepared to walk for longer or drive a short distance you get big views around Ipsden or the ridgeway or the incredible rolling countryside of the Hambleden valley. Checkendon Equestrian centre is just around the corner if riding is your bag and you are certain to hear the regular clip clop of horses' hooves if you sit in the garden. Mainstream tourist destinations within an hour's drive are Windsor Castle, Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Legoland, Cliveden, Highclere Castle and there are also the more local properties of Grey's Court, Mappledurham House, Basildon Park or Waddeston Manor. The river Thames at Henley is full of boating life and during the summer months you can hire SUPs, canoes or larger motor cruisers or visit the river and rowing museum. (You would be welcome to borrow my 'seen better days' canoe if you can get it on your car).
Getting to my home
You will probably need a car to get to the cottage. The nearest airport is Heathrow which is about 45 minutes drive away and the nearest rail station is Reading which is 15/20. There is a bus stop which is on the Reading-Oxford road which is about a 15 minutes walk to Checkendon.
Nearest airport
Heathrow is about a 45 minute drive
Getting around
There is a village shop in the neighbouring village of Stoke Row which is a 3 minute drive which is more of the artisan type of shop favoured by yummy mummies - but has all the basics and serves simple takeaway food and great coffee. THe village of Woodcote is less than a 5 minute drive and has a reasonable sized co-op, but for a larger grocery shop, the supermarkets in Wallingford (Lidl or Waitrose) or Henley (Tesco or Waitrose) would be your best bet.
Map of Approximate Location
People Like Us Local Guide
I would love to show you what a beautiful area I live in ... and tell you about the great pubs, walks and other things to do in the area. Ask me anything!
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Trial Member
Sarah
Hi! I'm Sarah. I am 60 years old and work the practice manager in the local medical centre. Although I live alone and am more or less an empty nester, my three adult children come home a fair bit for weekends (and the whole of lockdown!).
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