The Monastery, Carmelite Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG30

Offered to the market with no onward chain, a wonderful opportunity to acquire this superb two bedroom second floor apartment, situated within the original Monastery building which was converted in 2001 and standing in stunning communal grounds.
The Monastery was originally called 'Westfield' which was the Reading home of Walter Palmer, the third son of George Palmer, founder of the biscuit empire of Huntley & Palmers, for which Reading was famous. Walter was a director of the firm and was elected MP for Salisbury between 1900-1906 and was also made a Baronet. He and his wife Jene did a lot of entertaining at Westfield and Oscar Wilde was a frequent guest. Walter Palmer died in 1910 and the subsequent history of the house is somewhat obscure. A map of Reading for 1914 still refers to the property as 'Westfield' whilst one for 1931 labels it as Carmelite Convent. It was converted into apartments in 2001 when two further apartment blocks christened 'Huntley' and 'Palmer' were built in the extensive grounds.
The well planned accommodation with high ceilings and double-glazed sash windows includes an impressive triple aspect reception room with balcony, kitchen and two good sized principal en-suites. To the ground floor there is a communal reception hall, with a Victorian mosaic tiled floor and a feature Victorian staircase rising to the second floor. The development is approached through electronically operated security gates and there is allocated parking space as well as visitors parking. There are extensive, beautifully maintained communal gardens, with manicured lawns and mature shrub tree borders.