No bars, no signal predictedOne bar, reliable signal unlikelyTwo bars, may experience problems with connectivityThree bars, likely to have good coverage and receive a data rate to support basic web servicesFull bars, likely to have good coverage indoors and to receive an enhanced data rate to support multimedia services
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This property is no longer on the market

4 bedroom detached house

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Detached house
4 bed
0 bath
5,588 sq ft / 519 sq m

Key information

Tenure: Ask agent
Council tax: Ask agent
Broadband: Super-fast 50Mbps *
Mobile signal: 
EE O2 Three Vodafone
Water: Ask agent
Heating: Ask agent
Electricity: Ask agent
Sewerage: Ask agent
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Property description & features

Situated on the beautiful banks of the River Thames, in the stunning village of Sonning in South Oxfordshire, The French Horn, has captivated admirers of riverside luxury for well over half a century. This historic gem, a former
coaching inn turned iconic restaurant, has thrived under the care of the Emmanuel family since 1972. The property's 200-year legacy is steeped in tradition and culinary excellence. Now ready for its next chapter, the 8.6-acre plot, which comprises multiple properties, is a highly versatile and rarely available opportunity that would
suit an investor wanting to reimagine the site, offering significant upside and development potential.

Material And Deliverable Upside Opportunities - REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
The property presents various redevelopment prospects, including the rejuvenation of adjacent houses, the repurposing of charming cottages, and the development of staff accommodation for additional letting space.

RIVERFRONT UTILISATION
The expansive river frontage offers the potential for creating luxury hospitality spaces in a breathtaking setting, as well as opportunities for fishing, mooring, and more.

Location - Nestled on one of the most picturesque points along the River Thames, The French Horn enjoys a strategic location with exceptional accessibility. This iconic property is conveniently situated in close proximity to several large local towns and affluent villages, creating a broad catchment area that naturally draws a diverse and discerning clientele. Just a mere 40 miles from London, it's well within the reach of the capital's population and serves as a favoured retreat for those seeking a riverside escape.

Access to The French Horn is simple, thanks to its convenient proximity to the M4, one of the major arterial roads connecting London and the South West. This accessibility extends to Reading station, further enhancing the property's connectivity to the wider region.

An Overview Of The Additional Properties Included - River and Bridge House
Currently configured as a single dwelling, featuring 4 bedrooms and 5 reception rooms, offering the potential, subject to planning, for conversion into two separate properties.

Orchard Lodge
This property is currently divided into four separate flats, including one 2-bedroom unit, two 1-bedroom units and one studio unit. An additional outbuilding serves as a supplementary kitchen and bathroom facility for staff quarters.

Furleigh Cottages
Adjacent to the main hotel, these cottages play a crucial role as overflow accommodations for the hotel. Comprising of 8 cottages they come with a charming walled garden and direct river frontage, enhancing their appeal.

Staff Accommodation
The property encompasses 17 staff accommodation chalets, housed within single-storey period buildings.

Porter Cottage
A three-storey property currently unutilised, presenting the potential for incorporation into the hotel, subject to planning approvals.

Two-Story Coach House
This structure comprises 5 rooms, offering diverse potential use options.

Timber Stable Block
Featuring a triple garage, this facility adds practicality to the property's infrastructure.

Three Bedroom Staff House
Also included is a three bedroom staff house, located in nearby Emmer Green, less than three miles to the West of the restaurant. A useful addition to the property for staff retention.

The Restaurant - The French Horn restaurant can accommodate over 100 guests within a riverside dining room adorned with breath-taking river views, as well as an adjacent private dining space. Tradition reigns in this English institution, where ducks roast in front of an open fire. The restaurant is a versatile space that could accommodate a range of styles and uses, all whilst benefiting from the stunning river frontage. Historical trading information can be made available to seriously
interested parties.

External Details - The restaurant extends seamlessly onto a covered terrace, providing an inviting alfresco dining experience for approximately 80 guests. This picturesque terrace offers a captivating vantage point, overlooking the manicured lawns that gracefully meet the river. The surrounding gardens that envelop the restaurant are a true spectacle and have been a consistent draw for patrons for decades. Beyond the immediate restaurant vicinity, the property encompasses an expansive 5.6 acres of adjoining paddocks, offering a range of possibilities for an investor. This may include secluded lodges (STP) or an array of leisure activities, this large outdoor expanse is a treasure trove of potential. One of the property's crowning glories is its extensive 460 meters of river frontage, a prized asset that opens avenues for varied use. From mooring opportunities to angling or the creation of additional riverside hospitality spaces, this idyllic stretch of riverfront offers unique opportunities. For the convenience of patrons, the property currently provides parking with 30 spaces in the car park opposite the restaurant. There is potential for expansion by exploring the acquisition of nearby scrub land or the utilisation of additional space behind the adjacent houses.

Planning And Development Potential - The property's planning and development potential is vast. It includes the rejuvenation of adjacent houses, charming cottages, and staff accommodations for additional letting space. The substantial river frontage offers opportunities
for creating luxury hospitality spaces, leisure activities, and more.

Price And Offer Process - The preferred route of sale is a full disposal of the shares of 'French Horn Hotel Limited'. The Vendors will consider all offers received in writing to: Mr S Woodford, Haslams, 159 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1HE, [use Contact Agent Button]
Prospective purchasers are advised to make their own enquiries as to the condition of the property, prior to submitting their offer.
Purchasers are required to provide proof of funding.
The Vendors reserve the right not to accept the highest offer or to withdraw the property from the market, or to alter the method of sale at any time without notice.

Viewing Process - Viewings
Asset tours will be carried out on a Monday or Tuesday (certain Tuesdays in December may not be available due to varied Christmas opening hours) - a tour expected to take around 90 minutes to visit all areas.
Data Room
A data room of due diligence information will be made available to seriously interested parties.

Property information from this agent

Places of interest

    Haslams Estate Agents is an independent, multi-award-winning agent located in the centre of Reading Town. With over a lifetimes experience, Haslams has been trusted to sell and let homes around the Thames Valley for over 185 years. Our team of industry professionals have extensive knowledge in the Reading property market and all live around the area, allowing for up-to-date, expert advice. Whether you are looking to buy, sell, rent or let your home, a member of our accomplished team is available to help with all your property needs. Want to know how much your property is worth? Call us to get a free market appraisal today.

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    *DISCLAIMER

    Property reference 32708300. The information displayed about this property comprises a property advertisement. OnTheMarket.com makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the advertisement or any linked or associated information, and OnTheMarket.com has no control over the content provided by the agent or developer. This property advertisement does not constitute property particulars. The information is provided and maintained by Haslams Estate Agents - Reading.

    OnTheMarket may have applied supplementary data to this property listing, including:

    Broadband availability and predicted speed: obtained from Ofcom on February 25, 2022

    Broadband speed is measured in megabits per second, with the number returned showing how fast the connection is. Each reading is based on the highest predicted speed of any major broadband network for services that deliver the download speeds. The following are the different readings that we may display:

    Basic: Up to 30 Mbit/s
    Super-fast: Between 30 Mbit/s and 300 Mbit/s
    Ultra-fast: Over 300 Mbit/s

    The data is updated three times a year. The checker results are predictions and should not be regarded as guaranteed. For more information, see: https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/about-checker#Answer_0_2

    Mobile phone signal availability and predicted strength: obtained from Ofcom on February 25, 2022

    Mobile signal predictions are provided by the four UK mobile network operators: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. Predictions can vary significantly from the coverage you may actually experience as a result of local factors (especially terrain). Ofcom has tested the actual coverage provided in various locations around the UK to help ensure that these predictions are reasonable. The values shown against a property can be broken down as follows:

    Clear: No bars, no signal predicted
    Red: One bar, reliable signal unlikely
    Amber: Two bars, may experience problems with connectivity
    Green: Three bars, likely to have good coverage and receive a data rate to support basic web services
    Enhanced: Full bars, likely to have good coverage indoors and to receive an enhanced data rate to support multimedia services

    Energy Performance data and Internal floor area

    Any supplementary data should not be relied upon as forming part of any property particulars and OnTheMarket cannot be held responsible for any incorrectness in this data. See here for more information.

    *Call rate information

    Calls to 0843 numbers will be charged at 4p/min from BT landlines. Calls from other networks may vary, and calls from mobiles and outside the UK will be higher. Calls to local numbers beginning with 01, 02 and 03 numbers will incur standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles.