Middle Aston, OX25

Herdsman Cottage is a very attractive stone detached village property with origins dating back to the late 1800s. It has evolved over the years to create a fantastic spacious contemporary home to suit open plan family living, yet still offers formal entertaining spaces.
Entering the house through the porch and in to the spacious reception hall with access to two aspects allowing plenty of natural light, lending itself to alternative uses like a children’s playroom or a second office. This leads through into the kitchen/breakfast room which is well equipped with bespoke built-in cupboards and drawers, a Rayburn cooker (also heats the water), a separate Smeg electric oven and gas (bottled) hob, Smeg dishwasher and large fridge/freezer. The room leads through to the family/sitting room with good ceiling height, oak floorboards and a wood burning stove. This leads through to the oak framed dining/garden room with glazed windows to two sides and doors which lead out onto the terrace. This allows for an excellent area for entertaining and family living. The utility room and cloakroom are conveniently located adjacent to the kitchen, with space for washing machine, tumble dryer and fridge, all neatly hidden behind bespoke handmade cupboards.

On the far side of the house is a very comfortable cosy drawing room with a gas (bottled) fireplace. The study has been furnished with a bespoke desk, ideal for remote working with a contemporary fully glazed wall with a lockable door separating the room from the corridor allowing plenty of natural light into the room.

Upstairs are five bedrooms and a family bathroom. The main bedroom has built in cupboards and views over the rear garden as well as an en suite shower room with a power shower and brass fittings. Bedroom two has a Juliet balcony overlooking the rear garden with a Victorian fireplace. Bedroom four has an original Victorian fireplace and stone hearth. All bedrooms have built in wardrobes. There is loft access from bedroom five to the attic room with a remote control loft ladder, power, added insulation and tongue and groove flooring. It is at present currently used for storage but could be used as a children’s cinema room.

Outside

Outside is an enclosed south facing garden primarily laid to lawn, established trees and mature flower beds. The paved terrace offers the perfect place for outdoor entertaining with seating area and stone pizza oven. The outbuilding, at present a garden store with power, may be converted into a home office. There is a further summer house and double garage both with electricity. Parking for four vehicles.

Situation

Middle Aston is a north Oxfordshire hamlet situated between Oxford and Banbury about seven miles northwest of Bicester.

The nearby village of Steeple Aston (0.9 miles) together with North Aston and Middle Aston, are three neighbouring villages locally known as ‘The Astons’. Steeple Aston is well served with local amenities including a shop and post office, village hall, pre-school and primary schools, sport and recreation hall, play park, playing field, village pub, and a fine 13th century parish church. The nearby market towns of Bicester (9 miles) and Banbury (10 miles), together with the University town of Oxford (14 miles), provide for more specialist requirements.

Communication links include mainline stations either from the neighbouring village of Lower Heyford (2.5 miles) to Oxford (or changing for London/Paddington about 90 minutes) or at Bicester North providing fast train services to London Marylebone (about 50 minutes peak time); in addition, Oxford Parkway at Kidlington provides services to London Marylebone (from 62 minutes) and Paddington (from 66 minutes); the M40 (J10) Ardley is about 7.5 miles.

An excellent choice of schools in the area includes C of E primary school in Steeple Aston; Preparatory schools St Johns Priory (Banbury) Winchester House (Brackley) and The Dragon and Summerfields (Oxford). Senior independent schools include: - Tudor Hall, Bloxham School, (Bloxham); St Edwards, Headington, Magdalen College and Oxford High (Oxford); Radley and Stowe schools.

Cultural and leisure facilities include: - Soho Farmhouse Private Members Club at Great Tew; golf and polo at Kirtlington; racing at Warwick, Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon; motor racing at Silverstone; Bicester Village retail outlet; theatre at Oxford. The popular Hatch End Industrial Estate is located on Fir Lane between the villages of Middle Aston and Steeple Aston and has a coffee shop, Pilates and Yoga studios, as well as an art studio.