High Street, Finstock, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire

ON THE GROUND FLOOR
Entering the house through the front door leads into the generously-proportioned hallway with feature parquet floor. To the right is the elegant Dining room, with fine oak floor and feature cast-iron fire surround and mantel above, to either side of which are built-in cupboards and bookshelves. To the front of the room is a large sash window retaining its original shutters, while to the rear paired French doors open on to the patio.

On the left of the hallway is the Sitting room. This lovely room features two large sash windows, each with window seat below, and a splendid stone fire surround with modern log-burning stove. An additional intriguing original feature is the safe built in to the wall, which once provided a secure repository for the farm’s valuables.

At the end of the hall to the left is the Kitchen/Breakfast room. With Aga cooker, quarry-tiled floor and exposed ceiling beams this is the cosy and welcoming heart of the house. It incorporates a spacious pantry and, in a small extension of more recent construction which overlooks the garden, there is a well-equipped utility room/scullery with traditional cupboard units and double butler’s sink set within timber worktops.

To the right of the kitchen a part-glazed door leads out to the patio. A cloak-room by the kitchen door completes the ground floor accommodation.

Under the main staircase is a door that leads down to the cellar which lies beneath the sitting room. This is large space benefits from a full height barrel-vaulted roof and stone-flagged floor and may be put to a variety of practical uses.

UPSTAIRS
There are four comfortable double bedrooms on the first floor each with its own charm. Bedroom 1, to the front of the house, is a beautifully light and airy room with two large sash windows and beneath each of them are lovely window seats with original timber panelling. The focus of the room is the fireplace, with cast iron surround, on either side of which are arranged several built-in closets. Bedroom 2 also retains a small original fireplace and has a built-in closet. Bedroom 3 overlooks the garden. Bedroom 4, situated at the rear of the house benefits from a small vanity unit with hand basin.

The family bathroom includes twin hand basins, w.c., bath and separate shower cubicle. There is a further separate w.c.

Another flight of stairs leads to Bedroom 5 and the stylish second bathroom with its feature roll-top bath. A door from the bathroom gives access to the attic and a substantial amount of storage space.

THE ANNEX
The annex stands beside the main house, and has been stylishly converted to offer spacious accommodation over two floors, with double-glazing through-out and gas central heating. To the front of the building, a short flight of steps leads up to a pleasant stone-paved terrace area shaded by a splendid Indian Bean Tree.

Entering through the front door there is a w.c. on the left then a short hallway that opens into the large open-plan living area. This comfortable space is arranged on two levels with steps leading from the lounge up to the kitchen and dining area. From the kitchen a further door opens into a rear lobby and the stairs to the first floor, and also to the back door.

At the top of the stairs there is a galleried landing which gives access to the two double bedrooms and family bathroom. Also on the first floor level is the very spacious office, which is currently separate from the residential area and accessed via an external timber staircase. However, it would be possible to create a doorway to give direct access from the landing next door, and create a third double bedroom, perhaps with en suite.

The barn fronts on to the road, and the original cart entrance now gives access to an undercroft that provides covered parking space for two vehicles, as well as a substantial storage area, which can be closed off from the road by paired timber doors to provide additional security.

To the right of the barn an additional driveway leads round to the rear of the building and to an additional parking area.

OUTSIDE
The property stands within a plot of approximately 0.28 acres. There is a small garden to the front and much more extensive garden to the rear, enclosed by a Cotswold stone wall which offers complete privacy. The back door of the house gives access to a small gated courtyard from which a shallow flight of steps leads up to an area of lawn. This then slopes gently up from the house with a brick paved path leading past the greenhouse and vegetable patch to an elevated lawned terrace at the top of the garden which offers a number of seating areas perfect for entertaining or simply relaxing, shaded by a variety of fruit trees including apples, pears, plums and damsons. The large greenhouse is of an unusual and distinctive design, and is currently used to grow grape vines, tomatoes and peaches. There is also a timber garden store, and adjoining the main house, an outbuilding in which is located the boiler and also a w.c.
Beside the courtyard there are parking spaces for two vehicles.

LOCATION
Finstock is a small and peaceful village with some 800 residents, situated in the Cotswold’s beautiful Evenlode valley, approximately 13 miles northwest of Oxford. It has a popular pub, The Plough, and a highly-regarded primary school, rated ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED.

A wider range of shops and services are available in nearby Charlbury (2 miles away), including a Co-op supermarket, two pharmacies, hardware stores and other essential shops as well as a GP medical centre, dentist, and post office. Charlbury is a haven for foodies, and locals enjoy a wide choice of excellent pubs and eateries such as The Bell and The Bull, numerous delis and bistros, artisan bakeries, and farmers markets. Diddly Squat Farm is a mere 7.5 miles away at Chadling-ton. For those in need of further pampering, the famous Soho Farmhouse is just 10.5 miles away in Great Tew.

Charlbury is also a vibrant centre for art and culture, hosting several festivals throughout the year including the Riverside music festival, and the Wilderness festival in Cornbury Park, while good music and great food are combined at Alex James’ Big Feastival held at nearby Kingham.

Finstock itself benefits from excellent transport links, including its own railway station. There are also direct trains to Oxford and to London Paddington from Charlbury station (1 hr 15 mins). Regular bus services to Chipping Norton and Witney stop close by the house.

There are a number of excellent local schools, with Finstock CoE and Holy Trinity primary schools both rated ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED, while for older pupils Chipping Norton Academy (rated ‘Good’) is only 6 miles distant. Nearby independent schools include Carrdus prep, Kingham Hill, Tudor Hall, Bloxham and Sibford Schools, and a 15 min train journey brings within easy reach the many excellent schools in Oxford, including Magdalen College School, Headington School, d’Overbroeck’s, and The Dragon. Many of these schools also operate private bus services to and from Charlbury.

Set within some of Oxfordshire’s most beautiful countryside amid what remains of the ancient Wychwood Forest, Finstock is also the perfect base for walking, cycling or horse-riding, with numerous walks and bridleways leading out to nearby villages and sites of interest.

Approximate distances:

Oxford 13 mi/21 km
Chipping Norton 9.1 mi/14.6 km
Witney 5.5 mi/12.6 km
M40 to London (J9) 15.6 mi/8.9 km