Greystones, Faringdon, Oxfordshire

A building of two harmoniously combined halves, Greystones supplements its original late Victorian form with a bright, architect-designed extension. In total, the house spans just over 2,700 sq ft, with five peaceful bedrooms and a series of living spaces dotted with period features including fireplaces, quarry-tiled floors and original sash windows. Contemporary interventions include a wealth of glazing that fosters an unbroken connection between the house and its beautifully landscaped garden. The house lies in Faringdon, a historic market town almost equidistant from Oxford, Swindon, the Cotswolds and North Wessex National Landscape.

The Tour

Greystones sits back from the street behind a stone wall and a wrought-iron gate. This opens to the generous front garden where a path, bordered by lavender, winds up to a midnight-blue front door set beneath a tiled storm porch.

Entry is to a generous hallway-turned-library, where the current owners have arranged a wonderful reading nook. A two-over-two sash window draws in plenty of light here, and the walls have been washed in the bold 'Rectory Red' by Farrow & Ball.

A series of living spaces unfold beyond. Directly ahead is the largest, a generous sitting room with a picture window looking out to the garden and a log-burning stove. Engineered oak flooring runs underfoot, and the walls are painted a soft, neutral shade.

Another sitting room, this time more intimate in size, is to the left of the entrance hall. Its pared-back white walls and dark wood floor lend a refined feel, one that allows art and furniture centre stage. A second log-burning stove has been added here, and the views are to the front garden via a pair of two-over-two sash windows. From this room is a study with dual-aspect windows and walls in 'Calke Green' by Farrow and Ball.

An open archway leads to the kitchen, which can also be accessed via the primary sitting room. A cream-coloured gas-fired Rayburn, matching cabinets and pale-green countertops are a delicate juxtaposition to the ruddy quarry tiles underfoot, a survival of the home’s earliest days. There is plenty of storage in open shelves, and a cut-out section forms a breakfast bar.

Beyond lies the beautifully bright dining room; located in the extension, it has a bank of glazing that opens to the garden and a chequered Marmoleum floor in muted tones runs underfoot. There is enough space to accommodate a large table and a seating area. From here is a utility room and a separate boot room, a lovely space with a sculptural curved wall.

The house has five bedrooms on its upper level. The principal lies in the extension and has a deep rooflight and windows that face out to the rear garden. Built-in wardrobes provide storage space, and an en suite shower room has modern fittings.

The remaining four bedrooms are all doubles; three have handsome cast-iron fireplaces and one has another en suite shower room. A separate primary bathroom serves the other rooms, finished with traditional-style fittings, and there is a further shower room on the ground floor.

Outdoor Space

The gardens at Greystones are an essential part of its experience. In the front, Virginia creeper, roses and lavender extend a warm welcome, and oak, yew, holly and horse chestnut trees enhance its feel of privacy.

In the rear, the enclosed and secluded garden has been creatively landscaped to continue the architect's vision. A curving path leads to a generous seating/dining area backed by a curved white-rendered wall that reflects the design of the modern extension. This is one of three areas thoughtfully positioned to follow the sun or shade throughout the day or seasons.

At the centre of the garden, a prominent apple tree provides a focal point. Various other small trees and shrubs punctuate the garden at intervals. At the far end of the space, an area of wilding surrounds a characterful, and useful, Victorian outbuilding.

The house also has two car parking spaces, discreetly tucked away on one side.

The Area

Faringdon is a buoyant and friendly market town. It has a strong historical charm, as well as convenient amenities including a leisure centre with a pool, a tennis club, a rugby club and running and cycling clubs.

There are a handful of excellent pubs, including The Swan and The Old Crown Coaching Inn. Lotus Retreat is brilliant for yoga and coffee. There is also a Waitrose, an independent butcher and a zero-waste shop.

There are plenty of other wonderful places to dine nearby, including the Snooty Mehmaan and a magnificent bakery, Blake's Kitchen, in the neighbouring village of Clanfield, which has received particular acclaim for its cinnamon buns and sourdough.

Oxford is a 40-minute drive or bus ride from the house. It is known for its dreaming spires, as well as its superb cultural offerings, from the Ashmolean (Britain’s first public museum) and the Pitt Rivers to Modern Art Oxford. The route from Faringdon to Oxford passes The Tap Social - an impressive craft brewery with a live music venue.

Faringdon’s proximity to both the Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs provides a wealth of walking and cycling routes. There are also some brilliant historic sites to visit nearby, from a 13th-century barn to Kelmscott Manor, the 17th-century country home of William Morris.

There are two primary schools and a secondary school within easy walking distance. St Hugh’s Prep is only three miles from the house, while bus services run to private schools in Abingdon and Oxford.

Mainline rail services run to London from Didcot Parkway, a 36-minute drive away. There are also frequent buses to Oxford and Swindon. For car travel, the A420 leads to the M4 and M40.

Council Tax Band: G