Garsington, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX44

Handsome Victorian rectory with commanding views, six acres, pool and tennis court.

Description

Dating to 1872, The Well House is a wonderful example of a classic Victorian rectory with far reaching views over Cuddesdon towards The Chiltern Hills. It boasts wonderful period characteristics throughout including striking fireplaces, original Victorian encaustic floor tiles, picture and dado rails and detailed cornicing. Tall ceilings, deep single pane sash windows, original shutters and deep skirtings all feature.

All main rooms are situated directly off the dramatic entrance hall, with interconnecting doors, making for a pleasing flow to the ground floor.

The spectacular kitchen was added by the present owners, who commissioned London based Dale Loth Architects to make this lovely Old Rectory work for 21st Century family living. The polished screed floor is practical and striking and brings a warmth to the room. The working end of this fabulous room has book matched contemporary oak cabinetry beneath granite tops. There is a three door Aga, Britannia range oven and five burner hob, integrated dishwasher and full height fridge/freezer. In the living space, connected to the kitchen, full length oak and glazed curving conservatory style windows flank two sets of vast bi-fold doors that open to the garden.

The drawing room is dual aspect with an open fire and original wooden shutters to all sashes. The interconnecting family room, also with an open fire, has bespoke bookshelves and cupboards spanning one wall. Both rooms make the most of morning sun. The dining room has a fireplace (not used), picture and dado rails with a secondary door leading towards the kitchen.

A fully glazed study with bespoke oak desk and bookshelves, overlooks the tiered ponds below. Situated off the rear hall is a large utility/larder, boot room with full height storage cupboards and a cloakroom. The lower ground floor houses a large games room, cellar and boiler room.

From the entrance hall, the staircase rises to a galleried landing. The principal bedroom suite has bespoke cherry wood wardrobes to one wall and oak cabinetry in the en suite shower room. There are three further bedrooms on this floor, all with in-built wardrobes and two bathrooms, both with separate showers. Stairs rise to the second floor where there are two further bedrooms and a shower room. Of these, the principal guest room benefits from wonderful views across the fields to the rear.

The house is double glazed throughout and has underfloor heating in the kitchen/breakfast/living room, utility room and en suite bathroom.

Outside
Approached through tall solid wooden gates, the drive sweeps round to the front of the house which sits centrally within its gardens. Mature trees and herbaceous beds feature throughout with terraces surrounding the house and pool, maximising light at all times of the day. The back of the house and the pool with its terrace have wonderful, far reaching views across the paddock and beyond. The paddock is situated beyond a low stone wall at the end of the garden. There are timber clad stables and a vegetable garden within. At the front of the house is a double timber framed car port with workshop attached. There is also a wooden greenhouse with the tennis court behind.

Location

The Well House is a rare find, tucked away and private, but ideally located for easy access to Oxford and the north Oxford schools. There is good access to national road and rail links, via the M40 and A34 as well as Didcot Parkway and Haddenham & Thame Parkway stations.

There are supermarkets nearby (Waitrose in Headington and Botley) for everyday shopping requirements. Central Oxford offers a variety of shops and entertainment and the pretty market town of Wallingford, only 9 miles away, has weekly markets.

Garsington has a primary school, village hall and pub. The highly regarded The Mole and Seven Stars can be reached via footpaths and Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is only four miles away.

There is a wide choice of highly regarded state and independent schools nearby in Oxford and Abingdon including Magdalen College School, The Dragon, St Edwards, Abingdon School (formerly boys now co-ed), Summer Fields and Headington School (girls).

Square Footage: 5,637 sq ft


Acreage: 6.08 Acres

Directions

From London take the M40 to Oxford. Take exit 8 onto the A40 to Oxford. Take exit to Wheatley and Tiddington and turn left onto London Road. In Wheatley turn left onto Ladder Hill. Continue to Garsington. Turn left onto The Green. The Well House can be found on the left after a short distance, just before the church which is on the right.

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Oxford 6 miles, Didcot Parkway (London Paddington from 37 mins) 11 miles, Haddenham & Thame Parkway (London Marylebone from 39 mins) 12 miles, Central London 54 miles (Distances are approximate)

Additional Info

Services - All main services are connected. Gas central heating.