Eastern Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5SQ

Estate Agents View Built in the 1920s, this impressive period semi-detached home will appeal to anyone looking for a characterful family house in East Reading, with excellent potential to improve or extend if desired.

With serious kerb appeal, this attractive property is rich in original features including decorative window coving, a servant’s bell button (not operational) and beautiful period fireplaces – features that are rarely found in modern homes.

The current owners have taken great care to preserve the character throughout.

When replacing the windows, they worked closely with the adjoining neighbours to ensure an exact replication of the original design on both properties, which has made a noticeable difference to the overall appearance and feel of the house.

To the front there is driveway parking for two cars and a charming covered porchway by the front door. To the side, a useful lean-to storage area provides access through to the rear garden.

Inside, the entrance hallway leads to two reception rooms. The front living room is a welcoming space, featuring a fireplace and a beautiful bay window with original coving – an ideal place to relax.

The second reception room would work perfectly as a study, playroom or snug and includes an Art Deco-style fireplace along with dual-aspect corner windows.

There is also a convenient ground floor WC neatly tucked under the stairs. To the rear, the kitchen/diner is a generous size with pleasant views over the garden.

Patio doors open directly outside, allowing plenty of natural light to flood the room. The east-facing garden is non-overlooked and designed for low maintenance.

There is excellent scope for a ground floor extension (subject to planning permission), which would significantly enhance the living space.

There is also potential to reconfigure the ground floor by opening the kitchen/diner into the second reception room and creating a new hallway to the stairs.

This would require assessment by a structural engineer due to the location of the chimney breast. On the first floor are three well-proportioned double bedrooms and the family bathroom.

All rooms benefit from impressive ceiling heights and feature fireplaces. The main bedroom to the front is particularly striking, with dual-aspect windows and a real sense of space.

The top floor hosts the fourth bedroom, originally a servant’s room. Today it makes an excellent home office, guest room or bedroom for an older child, and enjoys lovely rooftop views.

Our favourite features are the beautiful original details, the kerb appeal and the exciting potential to add value.

Location Information Eastern Avenue is home to a variety of period properties in the South Park Conservation Area with a mix of Victorian and Edwardian housing styles that are protected to maintain the area's historical, architectural, and leafy character, many properties date back to the early 1900s, giving the area plenty of charm and character.

Located near other larger family homes at the top of the road and close to the University of Reading, the area offers a vibrant mix of students, professionals and families.

Harris Gardens, set within the University grounds, is open to the public and provides a stunning green space to enjoy throughout the year.

A short walk away are local cafés, pubs and amenities, including the popular Café Yolk and the Co-op for everyday essentials.

Reading town centre is within walking distance (approximately 20–25 minutes), with regular bus services also available nearby.

Reading mainline station offers fast connections to London Paddington and Waterloo, with Paddington reachable in as little as 22 minutes.

Palmer Park is close by and offers excellent leisure facilities including a swimming pool, gym, fitness classes, children’s soft play, running track and play park.

Sellers View “We moved into Eastern Avenue in the year 2000, buying it from a lady who had lived here for 76 years, meaning it is now on the market for only the second time in more than a century.

Along with our neighbours, we have sought to modernise the homes while still maintaining as much as possible of their original character.

In 2019, for example, we both installed double glazed windows throughout, but had them specially built to resemble the original design.

In moving to Reading with two small children, we chose Eastern Avenue for the proximity of good schools and public transport.

An added bonus was being so close to the wonderful university campus and the Harris Gardens.

We have seen lots of improvements to the area – even more buses, a new swimming pool in nearby Palmer Park, new eateries – but most of all it has retained its character as a strong community, where neighbours look out for each other.

Our children are now grown up and living in London, which is where we are headed for the next chapter in our lives.”