Snuff Lane, Shotteswell, Banbury, Warwickshire OX17

Originally part of Lord North’s Wroxton Abbey estate, this charming cottage property was originally two cottages. The property has attractive leaded light windows and window seats, exposed timbers, including chestnut beams, an open fire in the sitting room and a stone inglenook fireplace, with a bread oven in the dining room. There is a useful study off the sitting room with extensive bookshelves. Most reception rooms are dual aspect with windows to front and rear. The kitchen is fully fitted, with Cotteswood painted units with timber worktops, integrated appliances and breakfast bar. The utility room provides a second access to the garden, and there is a ground-floor cloakroom incorporating a shower. There are three double first-floor bedrooms off a generous landing and family bathroom. Off the second floor landing is a further bathroom and twin bedroom four with dormer windows overlooking the garden. The property has been very well maintained by the present owners. Some windows were replaced in 2012. The thatch has been checked annually the rear slope will require work in about 4 years. In the cellar, which has a stone mullion window, there is oil-fired central heating with a modern condensing boiler and a pressurised hot water system.

Outbuilding and garden

Block paved entrance to a detached double garage with electric remote controlled door and private parking for two cars on the access drive. Behind the cottage is a flagstone path and a large sloping, part-terraced south-facing garden, with lawns, brick-capped stone retaining walls, brick-edged flower and herbaceous beds, rose beds, trees and shrubs, flowering bulbs, and hedges to the boundaries. There is a paved seating area with climbing roses behind the house and a further elevated seating area to enjoy the evening sun. There is a brick garden store, tree house and greenhouse.

Woolgrove Cottage is situated on a quiet lane in the Conservation Village of Shotteswell on the Oxfordshire/ Warwickshire borders. With the C12 Church of St Laurence, Shotteswell is a quintessential English village with stone houses and cottages. The village has a village hall providing a hub for community life, a village park and a local farm shop. In the area are National Trust properties including Upton House and Farnborough Hall, Compton Verney House and an Art Gallery are also nearby.

The M40 gives access to Oxford, London, the West Midlands and the wider motorway network. There is a range of state and independent schools in the area to suit most requirements, including Shenington and Fenny Compton primary schools. Warwick Prep and Arnold Lodge are independent schools available for primary age children. Independent secondary schools include Bloxham, Tudor Hall for girls, Warwick boys and Kings High for girls in Warwick and Kingsley for girls in Leamington Spa. The property is within the catchment area of the state grammar schools of King Edwards for boys and Shottery for girls in Stratford-upon-Avon.

There are golf courses at Tadmarton, Brailes, Chacombe and Stratford, with racing at Warwick, Stratford and Cheltenham. Stratford is the region’s cultural centre with its Shakespearean heritage and theatres.