Ratley, Banbury, Warwickshire, OX15

Characterful village property with far reaching views and impressive garden.

Description

On the market for the first time in 50 years, Motte Hollow is a quietly impressive country home, ideally suited for those seeking a village setting with a sense of space and outlook. This attractive Grade II listed home offers a thoughtful balance of character and practical family accommodation.

Occupying a particularly appealing position in the charming village of Ratley on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, the elevated setting affords far-reaching views across undulating countryside, lending a rare sense of openness and tranquillity, while remaining accessible to Banbury and it's communications links.

A hallway with woodburning stove leads to a useful study and into a generous dual aspect sitting room. This impressive room features exposed beams, a door into the garden, window seats and a stone fireplace with wood burning stove.

Steps lead up to a characterful dual aspect dining room with parquet flooring and exposed beams. This in turns continues into a generous kitchen / breakfast room with fitted units and plenty of space for a table. Off the kitchen is a utility room and a generous conservatory with views across the garden. There is also a ground floor WC.

The first floor is accessed via two staircases, one at either end of the house. A spacious family room on the first floor provides a useful space suitable for a variety of purposes. This leads to a wonderfully light principal bedroom with south facing, countryside views and an en suite shower room. There are four further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Adjoining the house and with an internal door is a useful double garage, in front of which is a gravel parking area and driveway.

The notable, south facing gardens include a large terrace close to the house, ideal for alfresco dining. The garden then stretches away from the house and is arranged in generous tiers, the first of which has lawn and well stocked herbaceous borders leading to a summerhouse. A stone path leads up to a further tier of the garden which has an expanse of lawn. The garden offers both seclusion and enjoyment of the setting, creating a relaxed space to unwind and entertain.

Location

Ratley is a charming, unspoilt Conservation village, set in a valley on the eastern side of Edge Hill on the Warwickshire/Oxfordshire borders. Sitting on the edge of the Cotswold AONB Ratley enjoys an elevated position with far reaching countryside views. The village is made up predominantly of attractive period ironstone houses and cottages. There is an 14th century church and village pub (closed at the time of writing). The neighbouring village of Edgehill also offers a public house. A village shop and farm shop are located in the villages of Tysoe and Warmington respectively. The village of Kineton, about 4 miles, offers a range of everyday facilities including doctors and schools.

More extensive shopping and leisure facilities are available in the nearby towns of Banbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa and Oxford.

Communication links include access to the M40 (J11) at Banbury giving access to Oxford, London and Birmingham. Mainline train services from Banbury to London Marylebone (from 59 minutes). International airport at Birmingham (34 miles).

A wide range of local schools include village schools in Hornton and Shenington and North Oxfordshire Academy for secondary. The village is in the priority area for the Warwickshire Grammar Schools at Stratford. Independent schools include St Johns’ Priory (Banbury), Warwick Prep, Sibford, Tudor Hall (girls), Bloxham (co-ed), Kings High (girls), Warwick (boys) and Princethorpe (co-ed).

Leisure activities in the area include golf at Tadmarton Heath and Cherwell Edge; Farnborough and Upton House National Trust properties; Compton Verney art gallery; theatres at Stratford upon Avon and Oxford; motor racing at Silverstone and horse racing at Warwick, Stratford upon Avon and Cheltenham.

All distances and times are approximate.

Square Footage: 2,992 sq ft



Additional Info

Mains water, electricity and drainage. Oil fired central heating.