Little Barn Cottage High Street | Drayton St. Leonard | Wallingford | Oxfordshire | OX10 7BQ LITTLE BARN COTTAGE
Little Barn Cottage is a delightful (non-listed) property with origins dating back to around the late 16th century, in a delightful position within the heart of this idyllic South-Oxfordshire village. With beams, inglenook fireplaces and gardens of around 1/3 acre and a detached barn (currently used as a garage and gym), the property encompasses the very pinnacle of the archetypal Oxfordshire cottage. Little Barn Cottage embraces a wealth of character with extensive beam-work and inglenook fireplaces with beyond. A family bathroom is located off the landing. On the second floor the third bedroom makes a accommodation spread over three floors. There are two pleasing and spacious reception rooms to include wonderful retreat, having easy access to a large loft space. a dining room and good-sized sitting room with French doors to the front garden. Both reception rooms feature large inglenook fireplaces and an abundance of beams. There is a cloakroom with a Thomas Crapper The gardens provide a perfect setting for the property, the rear garden is divided into three areas to include classic suite. The kitchen is equipped with custom-made quality units, granite and cherry wood work surfaces, a cottage garden, main garden, and kitchen garden. The timber-built luxury gazebo acts as a social hub for al Range cooker and porcelain sink. On the first floor the split-level accommodation comprises two bedrooms fresco dining or equally a peaceful retreat. and a large landing area (with stairs to second floor) that offers tremendous versatility and is currently used as study/office area. The main bedroom is an impressive room with feature timber pillars dividing the bedroom The front garden with its yew tree, canopied gate and brick block pathway with raised borders and pretty from the dressing area with a range of built-in wardrobes and door to the en-suite shower room. The second flowering areas creates a wonderful initial impression of Little Barn Cottage. Off-road parking leads to a detached bedroom with a brick fireplace offers pleasant views over the gardens with further views of the countryside barn that although currently used as a garage and gym offers palpable scope for development for other uses. Ground Floor The Accommodation Comprises: Canopied tiled porch with outside light, partly glazed door to:
Entrance Hall. Extensive beam-work, quarry tiled flooring, radiator, spot lighting, stairs to first floor, stripped wood doors to cloakroom and dining room, partly glazed door to sitting room.
Cloakroom. High flush w.c, radiator, wall mounted wash basin, tiled splash backs, window to front, quarry tiled flooring, beam-work.
Dining Room. Quarry tiled flooring, extensive beams to ceiling, wall lighting, window to front with wooden shutters, understairs cupboard with stripped wood door, open inglenook fireplace having brick hearth, with canopy and beam over.
Sitting Room. A bright triple aspect room having an open fireplace with oak beam over and wood burning stove, creating a cosy ambience to the room when lit, wall lighting, extensive beam-work, two radiators, French doors leading to the loggia and front garden. Quarry tiled flooring and dimmer lighting.
Kitchen. A beautifully shown Cotteswood kitchen fitted with hand-made bespoke units with wooden knobs at eye and base level (some with glass fronts) and fitted drawers with cherry wood work surfaces, porcelain sink unit with double drainer and mixer tap. Recessed ‘Britannia’ Range gas cooker with a six-ring hob (fuelled by LPG gas cylinders) and double electric oven with an oak beam over the cooker. Plumbing for a dishwasher and space for a fridge/freezer, terracotta flooring with floral insets, radiator. There is also a peninsular with granite work surfaces, stool space, cupboards and alcoves which is currently used as a breakfast area.
Utility Room. Quarry tiled flooring, built in cupboards, plumbing for appliances, stable doors to rear garden, feature leaded light stained-glass window.
Seller Insight
We stumbled across a little gold mine when we bought Little Barn Cottage 21 years ago. A family member visited soon after we moved in and nodded off in the garden after lunch; when he woke, he said “You’ve really fallen on your feet here – the only thing I can hear is birdsong”. The house is situated in an idyllic, tranquil location on a quiet side road within the village with fields in front and to one side. From the minute you walk through the front door it has such a lovely, happy feeling and a great sense of history. Many fun-filled dinners and parties have been hosted here over the years! There is nothing better at the end of a long day or business trip than driving along the little road into the village, surrounded by fields, and thinking “I’m home”! Drayton St Leonard is a very sociable, fabulous place to live with a very strong community spirit. The villagers (and we have played an active role over the years) organise lots of social events including a Summer Fête, Safari Supper, Beer Festival, quiz and film nights and there is a History Society, Investment Club, Bellringing Group, Book Club and Flower Arranging group. It will be a great wrench to leave, and someone will be incredibly lucky to take on the custodianship of this beautiful home.
* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.
First Floor First floor landing. Stairs rise to a particularly spacious and versatile landing area. This area is currently used as an office/study. Concealed staircase to second floor, extensive beam-work to ceiling and walls, wall lighting, windows to front and side, double width airing cupboard with light, shelving, and hot water tank.
Bedroom One. A spacious bright and light room with windows to front and side. Built in cupboard, radiators, wall lighting, fitted book shelving. Exposed feature timber pilasters act as a natural divider from the bedroom to the dressing room.
Dressing Room. Window to side, radiator, an extensive range of fitted wardrobes with hand painted panel doors, hanging space and shelving. Ensuite Shower Room. Shower cubicle with glass tiles, over-head shower, tap controls and rinser, low flush w.c, pedestal wash basin, heated towel rail, shaver point, Velux window.
Bedroom Two. Double aspect bedroom with windows to side and rear, brick fireplace, recessed cupboard with hanging space, radiator.
Bathroom. Bath with mixer tap and shower attachment, low level w.c. Beam-work to wall, ceiling lighting, window to front, half tiling to walls, shaver point, combined radiator and heated towel rail and storage cupboard.
Second Floor Bedroom 3. Radiator, leaded casement windows, beam-work, spotlights, easy access to loft space.
Outside The tranquil and secluded gardens and grounds of Little Barn Cottage extend to approximately 1/3 acre and provide a wonderful setting for the property.
The Rear Garden is divided into three separate and distinctive sections.
Adjoining the rear of the property is the archetypal English cottage garden enhanced with brick walling, a covered paved patio and step stone pathway interspersed with shingle, a multitude of trees to include a flowering Cherry, Fig and Acer trees. There are flowering borders and a well-kept lawn area which extends to the side of the property where there is a very old and productive grape vine on a south facing wall of the house. There are mature shrubs and bushes to the boundaries which provide this part of the garden with a high level of seclusion.
The main garden has a large expanse of lawn with hazel hurdle fencing, privet hedge, some flowering and bedding areas, a shed (with light and power) and a number of productive fruit trees. There is a wildlife pond and within the main garden area is the Summer House, a luxury gazebo with cedar shingle roof built by renowned ‘Crown Pavilions’ of Watlington. This area provides an ideal retreat/hideaway or could be used for al-fresco dining or entertaining. Of timber construction, there is dimmable lighting, heating, and power.
The Kitchen Garden. This large area offers numerous productive vegetable beds for home grown produce, there is a large fruit cage, a cedar timber shed, timber greenhouse (both shed and greenhouse have light and power), a water supply and a wood chip path runs the length of the garden.
The Front Garden. A beautiful very archetypal English cottage style garden. A garden gate with roof leads to the garden with a brick block paved path and raised borders either side that lead to the front door. There are numerous and well stocked flowering and bedding areas. The planting of these areas has been carried out with the greatest of care ensuring colour throughout the year.
Parking. A driveway laid to shingle leads to a parking area for two vehicles. The parking area leads to the:
Detached Barn. This is an area offering tremendous scope and potential for other uses. Measuring 23’5 x 14’5 with high vaulted ceilings and mezzanine with some original beam-work. Currently used as a garage and gym with an up-and-over door, light and power and door to rear garden.
LOCATION
Drayton St Leonard is a small village in South Oxfordshire adjacent to the River Thame. Currently it consists of nearly one hundred houses and has a population of about 290. It is located some eight miles to the south of Oxford, three miles from the larger village of Dorchester on Thames and seven miles from the historic market town of Wallingford. It is just six and a half miles from junction 7 of the M40, eight miles from Didcot Parkway Station with trains to London Paddington in forty five minutes and twelve miles to Haddenham and Thame Parkway with trains to London Marylebone in under an hour. The village retains a genuine sense of community with the local village hall being the hub of local activities along with the equally vibrant Church of England parish church of Saint Leonard and Saint Catherine. The Aston Martin Museum, an automobile museum presenting the history of Aston Martin cars, is also located in the village. The Catherine Wheel public house has been designated an Asset of Community Value.
Services Oil, mains water, drainage, and electricity. The hob of the Range cooker is powered by LPG.
Tenure Freehold
Local Authority South Oxfordshire District Council
Viewing Arrangements Strictly via the vendors sole agents Fine & Country on 01865 953243
Website For more information visit www.fineandcountry.com/uk/oxford
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Registered in England and Wales. Registration number 09929046 F & C (Midlands) Limited,1 Regent Street, Rugby CV21 2PE copyright © 2021 Fine & Country Ltd. Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed
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