Fox Den, Lower Tadmarton

“A considered reimagining of an 18th-century cottage embedded in an age-old landscape”

Fox Den is on the edge of Upper Tadmarton, a serene village in the north Oxfordshire countryside. Set at the end of a quiet lane, this carefully renovated four-bedroom cottage captures extraordinary views of gently undulating valleys and woodland. The building’s original character has been thoughtfully honoured, contemporary elements have been interwoven within a wealth of original features including exposed timber and brickwork, and impressive flagstone flooring.

The Tour

Fox Den presents a traditional thatched roof (re-thatched in 2021) and honey-coloured Cotswold stone frontage that belies a sensitive renovation by architect-owner, Felix von Bechtolsheim. Throughout, contemporary design and high-quality finishes have been balanced with the historic fabric. The entrance is enveloped in mature planting and flowering shrubs, while a traditional post-and-rail fence encloses the home’s boundary.

The front door opens directly into a generous dual-aspect living room at the heart of the plan. A tactile material palette is established immediately: exposed stone walls, timber beams overhead, and warm-toned floorboards. A broad inglenook fireplace with a wood-burning stove warms the space and creates an atmospheric focal point.

The kitchen wonderfully juxtaposes original details, including smooth flagstone underfoot, with a soft blush-pink plaster wall finish and another inglenook fireplace. Bespoke cabinetry has poured-concrete worktops, and integrated appliances include a double oven and a fridge/freezer.

Directly adjacent is a dining area, where a large picture window captures uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside. Glazed doors open directly onto the garden, while a skylight sits overhead, flooding the room with light.

Across the hallway, a bright bedroom occupies the eastern elevation next to a shower room finished with blue Zellige-style tiles and brass fixtures.

A timber staircase with a sisal runner rises to the first floor where three lofty bedrooms are arranged beneath the pitched roofline. The principal bedroom continues with pared-back, exposed detailing to it's A-frame roof structure and has a cleverly concealed bathtub and twin basins at the back. Two equally voluminous bedrooms are complete with built-in wardrobes, and there is a large bathroom with a well-placed bathtub oriented towards views of the valley.

An attic room provides additional storage and the opportunity to double as a spacious guest bedroom, with far-reaching outlooks.

Outdoor Space

Tranquil gardens wrap around the house, bordered by neighbouring farmland that lends a natural connection to the landscape beyond. The views here are unparalleled and distinctly pastoral. An outdoor shower runs with both cold and hot water. At the front of the house, a driveway provides single parking, and there is planning permission granted for a driveway extension. A useful shed sits at the rear, for storing gardening tools or outdoor equipment.

The Area

Upper Tadmarton is a peaceful village surrounded by the green rolling hills of the Cotswolds National Landscape. Its position makes it a brilliant foothold to explore the quieter, historic corners of the Cotswolds, while being conveniently connected to nearby towns. The village has a beautiful Grade-I listed parish church and a community hall, as well as a traditional village pub, The Lampet Arms.

The historic market town of Banbury is approximately five miles away. The Michelin-starred pub and restaurant, The Duck on the Pond, serves locally sourced fare. The perennially popular Soho Farmhouse is approximately 15 minutes away by car, while Daylesford farm shop and Bamford Wellness Spa are a 25-minute drive away. Oxford can be reached in under an hour by car, with the Ashmolean, Britain’s oldest museum with an extensive permanent collection and changing exhibitions.

There is an excellent selection of highly regarded schools in and around Oxfordshire. Bloxham and Wroxton Church of England primary schools are both less than a 10-minute drive away, while independent schools, Sibford School and Tudor Hall, are also close by.

Banbury railway station is around a 15-minute drive, with services to London Marylebone and Manchester Piccadilly. Local services run from the nearby Kings Sutton station, and Charlbury station is under half an hour away, with regular trains to London Paddington. There are also convenient road connections via the M40.

Council Tax Band: E