Vale Cottage, Hanwell, Oxfordshire OX17

A handsome stone-built detached character home, beautifully positioned within the heart of this highly regarded village, offering generous accommodation, wonderful gardens and a rich local history as the former village bakery.

Vale Cottage has been in the same family for many decades and now presents a rare opportunity to acquire a much-loved home of approximately 2,435 square feet (including all space), brimming with enormous charm and offering exciting potential for thoughtful modernisation.

The property opens into a welcoming reception hall leading to a formal sitting room of considerable character, centred around a magnificent inglenook fireplace that creates a warm and inviting focal point. A separate dining room, with a traditional Victorian range, provides a wonderful setting for entertaining and family gatherings.

To the other end of the house is a generous breakfast kitchen, offering excellent space for everyday living. The house is complemented by a modern and spacious rear extension that enhances the ground floor accommodation and provides flexibility for contemporary lifestyles.

On the first floor are three bedrooms, including a principal bedroom with ensuite shower room, together with a separate family bathroom.

Outside, Vale Cottage continues to impress. Off-street parking in front of gates provides privacy and convenience to the front, while the rear garden is truly exceptional. The plot is large, beautifully maintained and thoughtfully designed in a quintessential cottage style. Meandering paths lead through a wide variety of established plants, colourful borders and mature fruit trees. Two ponds, charming seating areas and seasonal planting create a peaceful and private retreat. A workshop to the rear and a delightful summerhouse further enhance the appeal.

Situated within an excellent and sought-after village, Vale Cottage combines period character, generous living space and remarkable gardens, offering a unique opportunity to create a truly special home in an idyllic setting.

Hanwell is a picturesque ironstone village just a couple of miles north of Banbury. It has a thriving and welcoming community, centred around the popular village pub, The Moon and Sixpence, and the village hall. The annual country fair with live music is a highlight of the calendar, and the community observatory within the grounds of Hanwell Castle is a unique and much-loved local feature.

For commuters, the property is well placed. Banbury railway station offers regular direct services to London Marylebone and Birmingham, while the nearby M40 provides excellent road links to Oxford, London and the Midlands.

Banbury itself, just over three miles away, offers a comprehensive range of shopping, leisure and everyday amenities. Closer to home, there is a Sainsbury’s Local just over a mile from the village.

Schooling in the area is well regarded, with primary schools in Wroxton and Cropredy, as well as North Oxfordshire Academy. The village also falls within the Priority Area for the Warwickshire Grammar Schools in Stratford-upon-Avon, including King Edward and Stratford Grammar School. A number of independent schools are also within easy reach, including Kings High, Tudor Hall and Bloxham, along with preparatory schools such as St John’s Priory, Sibford, Warwick Prep, Kitebrook and The Croft.