The Old Bakehouse, Benson, Oxfordshire

This Grade II-listed house sits in the pretty village of Benson, Oxfordshire, on the banks of the River Thames. Over 3,200 sq ft of space extends across three storeys, and there are five well-appointed bedrooms. A voluminous sitting room is illuminated by original shop windows, while an expansive kitchen is home to an 18th-century bread oven. A courtyard garden to the rear is well-suited to outdoor dining and entertaining.



Setting the Scene



A royal estate during the 18th century, Benson became a popular coaching stop on the road between Oxford and London. The village offered stabling for two hundred horses, and was home to blacksmiths, coach-builders and several coaching inns. It later became an important transit point for commercial river traffic, before returning to agricultural endeavours in the mid-19th century.



This house was once the village bakehouse and grocery. The shop counter ran in front of shelves on the back wall of what is now the sitting room. Many of the home's period features remain in situ, including the original bread oven. Swathes of glazing trimmed in pastel-green are a relic of the building’s commercial use, while further original features include sash and dormer windows, timber beams and sections of exposed brickwork.



The Grand Tour



A smart glazed door to the right of the old shop front forms the main entrance to the house. Inside, a bright entrance hall leads to the kitchen and through to the sitting room, a voluminous space illuminated by original shop windows, partly obscured for privacy. Here, neat tongue-and-groove panelling lines part of the room, while one corner with a log burner has exposed brickwork with original alcoves. Original shop shelving extends across one wall, and an archway reveals a cosy snug with shuttered cabinetry. The space is bathed in light by Crittall-style glazing with views toward the courtyard.



A vast kitchen and dining area is lined with joinery. An alcove is fitted with a bread-warming plate; the original bread oven sits to the side, its cast-iron doors painted grey. Exposed brickwork here also forms part of the original oven. Light pours into the dining area through a pitched glass roof, while double doors open onto the courtyard.



Four bedrooms are arranged on the first floor. In the principal bedroom, panelling is painted midnight-blue, and a large sash window looks toward the street. A dressing room with fitted storage leads to a large en suite with a roll-top bathtub and a walk-in shower.



In the second bedroom, tongue-and-groove panelling lines a barrel-vaulted ceiling, and there is an en suite shower room. A separate bathroom has a bathtub with an overhead shower. There is another bedroom on the top floor, with exposed beams and rafters.



A large cellar has exposed original stonework and rafters, and is currently used as a games room.



The Great Outdoors



A peaceful walled garden sits to the rear. It has paved and decked areas, and ample room for potted herbs and plants. A pergola above the dining area offers shade in the summer months.



Out and About



Benson is a pretty village with several useful amenities, including two pubs, a primary school, a library and a Co-op. The Waterfront café, bar and bistro is a popular spot by the water’s edge, alongside the Thames Path.



The larger market towns of Wallingford and Abingdon are a short drive away, with weekly markets and larger supermarkets, including a Waitrose. In Wallingford, wine bar Le Clos is highly regarded, while The Crown & Thistle in Abingdon is known for its excellent Sunday roasts.



Oxford is a short drive or bus ride away, with its breathtaking architecture and impressive culinary scene. Gees is a perennial favourite restaurant set in a Victorian conservatory, while the Turf Tavern and The Bear are cosy spots to hunker down on a chilly afternoon. Oxford’s Covered Market hosts everything from artisan grocers to independent cafés and boutiques. The Ashmolean is Britain’s oldest museum and has an extensive permanent collection and excellent exhibitions.



For outdoor pursuits, there are several golf clubs in the area, including The Springs and Hadden Hill. A stroll along the Thames Path to Wallingford affords scenic riverside views, while Ewelme Nature Reserve and National Trust-maintained Watlington Hill are also close by.



There is an excellent choice of schools in the area, both state and independent, in Abingdon, Moulsford and Didcot, while Oxford hosts some of the country’s best independent schools. Benson has convenient access to the motorway network via the A34. Didcot Parkway is around 10 miles away, and runs regular services to Oxford in 13 minutes and London Paddington in 39 minutes.



Council Tax Band: G