Hildesley Court

East Ilsley | Berkshire

A sun trap in racing country on the Berkshire downs

It is hard to imagine a more quintessentially-English scene than the pretty estate of Hildesley Court, alongside the village duck pond and nestling under the delightful church of St Mary’s. The two- and three-bedroom cottages sit around a shared garden square, though each has its own small private garden too, and there are also several attractive corner apartments. The whole estate is sheltered in a dip in the hills and its south facing grounds, with a pond and fountain, are a sun trap to enjoy.

The Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest road and now a National Trail of some 87 miles, passes within a mile of East Ilsley, and old drove roads nearby lead to excellent walks on the Berkshire Downs. The area also has a rich equestrian heritage and horses can often be seen heading for the gallops. Just two miles from Hildesley Court is the village of Compton, with a shop and post office, and for more extensive shopping there is Newbury, which is just fifteen minutes by car. The village is well-connected, close to both the north-south A34 and Didcot station.