Cavendish Place, Stratton Audley, Bicester, Oxfordshire

THE PROPERTY
Cavendish Place is a quiet enclave of just sixteen houses, close to the centre of the peaceful village of Stratton Audley in the beautiful countryside of North Oxfordshire. Tucked away on a corner plot the property enjoys an idyllic setting with views over the village pond and private woodland beyond. The house has been extensively modernised by the present owners, and benefits from a variety of technological enhancements such as under-floor heating, surround sound home cinema system, solar panels with battery storage system, and is now an energy efficient family home.

On the Ground Floor
Entering the house through the front door leads into a light and spacious hallway with plenty of storage space for clothes and footwear. Directly ahead is a door leading into the Sitting room, and to the right is the Utility room which connects with the integral double garage. To the left a door leads into the modern and well-equipped Breakfast Kitchen. This well-organised space benefits from underfloor heating and the full complement of appliances including induction hob, and plumbed-in American-style fridge-freezer which dispenses ice and chilled water. There is also a very useful larder cupboard.

Passing through the open-plan breakfast area, an archway leads into the spacious sitting room, with beautiful timber floors and feature Cotswold stone chimney breast. This beautiful light-filled space is equipped with a Bose surround-sound home cinema system and benefits from sliding patio doors which extend the whole length of the room to give access to the courtyard and pool area, creating that highly-desirable indoor/outdoor entertainment space. The twin lanterns in the ceiling, which benefit from programmable automatic rain-sensitive window panels, channel further light into the room from above.

Returning to the breakfast area, a further door leads into the wide rear hallway. Immediately on the left is a good-sized shower room, and then directly ahead the Dining room, another generously proportioned space which benefits from two sets of sliding glazed doors giving direct access to the outside, again perfect for summer dining and entertaining. The hallway continues, passing the staircase, then along the corridor to Bedrooms 3 and 4. At the end of the hallway is the family bathroom and on the right, Bedroom 2, a delightful room which benefits from its own glazed door giving direct access to the pool area.

Upstairs
The first floor accommodation comprises a Study/Bedroom 5 to the front of the house, with the remainder given over to a generously proportioned principal suite. This incorporates the main bedroom, with an adjoining dressing room fitted with built-in wardrobes. This in turn leads to the well-appointed en suite bathroom, which benefits from twin hand basins as well as both a feature sunken bath and separate shower cubicle.

Paired glazed doors lead from the bedroom on to the balcony which offers views over the pool and the garden, and to the village pond and area of private woodland adjacent to the house. This is a lovely space in which to relax, ideal for enjoying a breakfast reading the papers, or a quiet evening just observing the local wildlife.

Also adjoining the principal bedroom is the spacious home office, which is also currently used as a gym – perfect for both working and working out! This large triple-aspect room with views over the courtyard and pool area could serve equally well as an upstairs sitting room or music room. Like the sitting room below, it is also equipped with a Bose home-cinema sound system.

OUTSIDE
The property stands within a corner plot of just over 0.2 acres, the rear garden enclosed by a Cotswold stone wall, in which are set a number of purpose-built seating areas. Immediately to the rear of the house is a private courtyard that is perfect for entertaining or simply relaxing. The swimming pool, heated by a very economical air-source heat pump, is a natural focus of activity in summer and there is also a covered bar/barbeque area from which to serve those essential poolside refreshments. The remainder of the garden is laid mainly to lawn, bordered by a variety of planting areas, together with an ornamental pond. There is also a greenhouse.

Across the courtyard from the house is a timber-built summer house with a comfortable bed-sitting room/study, which in warmer weather is an ideal place to work or relax. It has also served as useful guest accommodation in the summer. The building also incorporates a garden store.

The spacious double garage and workshop benefits from remote controlled electric doors to the front, and a double-glazed door giving access to the courtyard to the rear. Within the garage is a sink, the oil-fired condensing boiler, also the controls for the solar panel array and the battery back-up system which supply hot water for the house and power for the air source heat pump which heats the swimming pool.

There is paved hard-standing for up to three vehicles to the front of the property, together with a neatly tended area of garden.

LOCATION
Stratton Audley lies in the beautiful open countryside of North Oxfordshire, approximately 2.5 miles from Bicester. Originally a Saxon settlement mentioned in the Domesday book, today the village comprises less than 200 houses, clustered around the beautiful 13th century church. Many of these houses are built of local Cotswold stone, giving the surrounding streets and lanes a very pleasant and traditional appearance.
Still essentially a rural community it is notable for the numerous open spaces, greens, paddocks and farmyards interspersing the houses. The Bicester and Whaddon Chase Hunt is also based in the village. There are numerous foot-paths and bridleways leading out to the surrounding countryside, notably the Cross Bucks Way, which begins in Stratton Audley. Virtually the entire village lies within a conservation area and is protected from further develop-ment. Moreover, the village has no street lights meaning it is possible to really appreciate the beauty of the night sky.

The village has a newly-opened pub, and the shops, services and leisure amenities of Bicester are just a few minutes away by car, and include the renowned Bicester Village shopping centre as well as a multiplex cinema. Country Life Magazine has also voted Stratton Audley one of the top Oxfordshire villages for commuting, highlighting the fast links to London and Oxford. There are two railway stations at Bicester with connections to London Marylebone (43 minutes) and Birmingham International Airport (65 mins), while Bicester Village Station connects with Oxford Parkway (15 mins). There is ready access to the wider road and motorway network at Junction 9 of the M40/A34 less than six miles distant.

A range of excellent state and independent schools are within easy reach, including Bruern Abbey, Sibford, Tudor Hall, Bloxham and Stowe, as well as those to be found in Oxford itself.