Sibford Road, Shutford, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15

Versatile country living in an enviable elevated, rural secluded setting.

Description

Farmington Farm commands a stunning elevated rural position between Shutford and the Sibfords. Situated in the Cotswolds the farmhouse and adjoining barn, both Grade II listed, are Hornton ironstone construction under a grey slate roof.

The current owners bought what was a pretty redundant working farm and over their early tenure comprehensively refurbished the main house, linked the house to the former threshing barn and other farm buildings which were converted to create a substantial family home.

Their careful refurbishment works were sympathetic to the history and architecture, retaining many period features including open fireplaces particularly the inglenook in the drawing room, exposed timbers, flagstone floors, elm floor boards and staircase, window seats and deep window boards.

At the time the house was brought fully into the modern era and the improvements included bespoke oak kitchen fittings with granite work surfaces, stone flooring, double glazed hardwood windows, radiator covers, bespoke oak fittings and granite work surfaces in the utility room, white bathroom suites and oak internal doors with wrought iron door furniture. The works even extended to the cellar where an automatic opening hatch door was installed.

More importantly they created a leisure complex out of the former Grade II listed threshing barn, which is connected to the main property , as well as creating guest accommodation above. Here they installed a tiled swimming pool (9.6m x 4.4m), sauna, jacuzzi, changing facilities, games area, seating area with access to the courtyard garden. Above is a lovely gallery with gym area and access to the two guest bedrooms.

Outside they took what was a wilderness and created delightful gardens particularly a stunning courtyard garden divided up into a series of stone paved and gravel entertaining areas, flowering beds and borders, very much the heart of the property, offering space to track the sun, seek some shelter and shade, or just the perfect retreat for relaxing and unwinding. The gardens continue to the north, south and west and are level and predominantly laid to lawn interspersed with various trees and an orchard area. Tree house and children’s play area. There are extensive traditional stone outbuildings which are ideal for country living with the former milking parlour and old stables used as a workshop and storage; five bay open barn with enclosed yard; five bay car port with parking area; four bay open barn with oil tanks.

Commanding an elevated setting towards the top of a hillock, the land gentle falls away to the east and south and is laid to pasture. The land is well managed and comprises six fields extending to about 29 acres. Those immediately flanking the driveway are cut for hay, with a further three currently grazing for a pedigree herd of Highland cattle. There is a water meadow with pond at the bottom of the valley. The fields immediately to the south, west, north lawn, ha-ha and orchard are currently cut with robot mowers. To the north and north west is a belt of woodland with a mixture of hardwood including oak, ash, beech, sycamore, cherry, sweet chestnut and silver birch. Essentially 50% of the land is for hay, making the management straight forward. In essence the land would be suitable for sheep, horses or just a wonderful canvas to this stunning property. The land has post and rail fencing, mixed hedges and are watered. In all about 43 acres. The property is approached along a gently rising and curving lime tree lined driveway that leads to the various gated entrances to property.

This is very much the perfect package. This is proper country living with the benefit of a comfortable parcel of land for all manner of pursuits, space, views, little light pollution, a peaceful home to grow in to, all very much the perfect package.

Location

Farmington Farm is situated about 0.5 miles outside the village of Shutford and is surrounded by open countryside, pasture and woodland. Shutford is an attractive village comprising mostly stone houses and cottages with a church, pub, village hall and children’s play area. The villages of Balscote and the Sibfords are close by with the Butchers Arms (Balscote) and The Wykham Arms (Sibford Gower) public houses. More extensive retail, leisure and sporting facilities are found in Banbury (6 miles), Chipping Norton (9 miles) and Shipston on Stour (8 miles) or further afield in Oxford (26 miles) and Stratford-on-Avon (18 miles).

Communication links include access to the M40 at J11 (Banbury), approximately 6 miles away, giving access to Oxford and London to the south, or M40 at J12 (Gaydon) only 10 miles giving access to Birmingham to the north. Mainline train services from Banbury to London Marylebone (from about 56 minutes). Birmingham airport is about 40 miles away.

Schooling in the area includes primary schools at Wroxton, North Newington and Shenington, with senior state schooling at North Oxfordshire Academy and The Warriner, Bloxham. Local independent schools include Warwick Prep, Kings High School (Warwick), Warwick School, St Johns Priory (Banbury), Sibford School (Sibford Ferris), Bloxham School and Tudor Hall Girls (Bloxham). The property is also in the catchment area for the Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar Schools.

Leisure and sporting activities include Daylesford Organic Farm Shop and Spa 16 miles; Soho Farmhouse private members club at Great Tew; golf at Tadmarton and Brailes; horse racing at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Cheltenham; indoor sports centres at Banbury; Cotswold Distillery at Stourton; Whichford Pottery; motor racing at Silverstone; polo at Southam; walking and riding locally.

All distances and times are approximate.

Square Footage: 5,491 sq ft


Acreage: 43 Acres

Additional Info

Mains electricity and private water. The property has private drainage (septic tank). This may/may not be compliant with the relevant government regulations/registered with the appropriate body. A buyer would need to make their own enquiries. Oil fired central heating to the main house and swimming pool complex. BT connected subject to the usual transfers. Broadband.

Agents Note: Please note that a public footpath crosses the property.