INTRODUCTION
This lovely home, formerly the old police house, has been imaginatively and sympathetically remodelled and extended to create a modern and comfortable living space that yet retains many architectural details of the original building.

The flexible accommodation can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. The open-plan layout of the main living areas is complemented by two large ground floor bedrooms each with en suite bathrooms, with a further three bedrooms and a family bathroom upstairs. Thus, the house is ideal for those with young families, who may often have older relatives to stay, as well as homeowners who are perhaps beginning to have concerns about using stairs.

It is also the perfect home for the modern multi-generational family.

GROUND FLOOR
Kantara is set back from the road in an elevated position, and is approached via a paved and landscaped driveway. Entering through the front door beneath a wide canopied porch, leads into the double-height entrance hall, from which a doorway to the right leads into the stunning open-plan living area.

This wonderful space comprises three zones. There is the Breakfast Kitchen, a bright and airy space with underfloor heating, a high vaulted ceiling that benefits from four large skylights which flood the room with light, a large central island and breakfast bar, and magnificent five-oven electric Aga cooker with gas hob. Folding glazed doors lead to the area of decking outside which overlooks the garden to the west.

Next to the kitchen is the spacious Lounge/Dining room, which features a second array of folding doors that in summer can be opened up completely to give access to the decking at the rear of the house, creating that lovely sense of an indoor-outdoor living space. In colder weather, occupants can enjoy the cosy log-burning stove.

Adjacent to the dining room is a well-proportioned Sitting room, again benefitting from double height ceiling and a stylish wall-mounted flame effect fire. Passing through the sitting room into the rear hallway, a short corridor leads to the Principal Bedroom with double height ceiling, extensive fitted wardrobes, and en suite shower room with underfloor heating.

Returning to the entrance hall, a third door opens into the ground floor guest suite, comprising bedroom, spacious dressing room, and en suite bathroom with bath and separate shower cubicle, and with underfloor heating. A cloakroom off the hall, which pleasingly incorporates a reference to the building’s origins as part of Oxfordshire Constabulary, completes the downstairs accommodation.

UPSTAIRS
From the entrance hall a staircase leads up to the first floor, where there are a further three bedrooms, each with plenty of storage space, and a family bathroom with separate bath and shower cubicle.

OUTSIDE
Set within a plot of just under 0.8 acres, the house stands in an elevated position set well back from the road. Stone piers mark the driveway entrance which leads up through paired pillars bearing carriage lights, onto a paved and landscaped parking area easily capable of accommodating half-a-dozen vehicles or more. Directly ahead is a timber three-bay garage/car port, equipped with power and light, and above this is a large office/studio space, which is accessed by an external staircase. There is an external water tap beside the main house, and the building has been prepared for connection to the water supply, enabling the addition of a kitchenette or cloakroom if required.

To the left is the house itself, in front of which is a wide paved south-facing terrace with dining area, and steps leading down to the lower lawn. A wide area of decking to the west of the house overlooks the main area of garden. The decking continues around to the rear of the property, leading to an enclosed and private space that connects, through an array of folding glazed doors, back to the lounge and the kitchen. Thus the inside and outside spaces surrounding the house can be combined and enjoyed at any time of day, and in any season.

To the right of the property lies the remainder of the garden, a much larger expanse of lawn bordered by mature trees and benefiting from a second entrance, with five-bar gate, which leads back to the road. There is a sizeable timber shed, greenhouse and log store.

LOCATION
Lying in the Cotswold’s beautiful Evenlode valley, some 15 miles north west of Oxford, Charlbury regularly appears in rankings of Most Desirable Places to Live. It 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. The famous Daylesford Organic farm and restaurant is just over 11 miles away in Kingham, the more down-to-earth Diddly Squat Farm a mere 5 miles away at Chadlington. For those in need of further pampering, the famous Soho Farmhouse is just 8 miles away in Great Tew. Fortunately, there is also a Co-op supermarket, two pharmacies, hardware stores and other essential shops within the town as well as a GP medical centre, dentist, and post office.

The town benefits from excellent transport links, and there are direct trains to Oxford and to London Paddington from Charlbury railway station (1 hr 15 mins), regular bus services to Oxford and Woodstock, Chipping Norton and Witney. And, while the wider road and motorway network is easily accessible, there is no main road through the town itself, which helps to preserve the peace and tranquillity that residents value so highly.

There are a number of excellent local schools. Finstock Church of England and Holy Trinity Catholic primary schools are 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.

Charlbury is also very much a centre for the arts 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. And let’s not forget Charlbury’s own famous annual Beer Festival, a volunteer-run event raising funds for charity.

Open-air performances of Shakespeare are held in the park, and the town is also very well-represented during the Oxfordshire Arts Weeks, with more than a dozen local artists exhibiting.

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

Approximate distances:
Rail Station 1.3 mi/2.1 km
Soho Farmhouse 9.2 mi/15 km
Bicester 17.3 mi/27.3 km
Oxford 15.6 mi/25.1 km
Chipping Norton 6.9 mi/11.1 km
Witney 7.8 mi/12.6 km
M40 to London (J9) 15.6 mi/25.1 km