Paines Hill, Steeple Aston, Bicester, Oxfordshire

The delightful Grade II-listed house is well located close to village amenities. Internally, the spacious rooms are beautifully presented, with vibrant wall coverings, character elements such as exposed beams, and complementary heritage colours which suit the setting.

A truly sociable house, the layout of the ground floor enjoys excellent flow with its circular access all the way around: the kitchen opens to the dining room, which in turn opens onto the sitting room, and again to the boot room. The history of the house, which dates back to 1806 and earlier, can be seen throughout, now complemented by a more modern décor scheme. The sitting room, with its cavernous inglenook fireplace, Clearview woodburner and beamed ceilings feels wonderfully welcoming and cosy, with two windows overlooking the pretty street to the front – the formal dining room has the same outlook, and is attractively appointed and benefits from additional storage. The light and airy kitchen has French windows opening to the rear garden, space for a breakfast table and painted bespoke cabinetry topped with quartz work surfaces. A useful boot room adjoins the kitchen and leads out to the garden. Upstairs, the principal bedroom has its own en suite bathroom with claw-footed bathtub, while the two remaining double bedrooms share a family bathroom.

Hill House has a charming appearance from the road, with landscaped ornamental trees complementing the double-fronted design of the house providing pleasing symmetry. Access leads around the side to a parking area where there is a double length garage en bloc. At the rear of the property there is a private and well secluded courtyard garden, featuring mature flowerbeds and space for garden furniture – the ideal space for entertaining alfresco.

Steeple Aston is a sought-after village with amenities including a village store and Post Office, a popular public house – The Red Lion, a village hall and Dr Radcliffe's CE Primary School, which is a convertor academy and is a member of the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust. The village comprises mostly stone built houses and has a lengthy history, with roots going back to Roman times. The village is a designated conservation area and is set within glorious countryside close to the river Cherwell, with excellent access to footpaths and bridleways in the surrounding area. Bicester has more extensive amenities and superstore shopping, approximately eight miles east, as well as designer shopping in Bicester Village. Soho Farmhouse is also eight miles distant. Access to the M40 motorway is via junctions 9 or 10. Heyford, Bicester North, Banbury and Oxford Parkway train stations provide an excellent service to London Marylebone. The area is renowned for its excellent schooling: Tudor Hall is in Banbury, while the Oxford schools including the Dragon, Summerfields, Oxford High School and St Edwards are within 30 minutes’ drive.