House For Sale £3,000,000
Beautiful Victorian country house in idyllic location
Location
The Old Rectory is situated next to the 13th Century church of St John, in the delightful village of South Moreton which lies in the North Wessex Downs aonb, on the edge of the Berkshire Downs, in a sought after part of South Oxfordshire. It is located on the St Birinus pilgrimage route between Blewbury and Dorchester Abbey. The village comprises many attractive period houses, and benefits from a highly regarded primary school and The Crown, a community owned pub. Communications are excellent, with easy access to the M4, M40 and A34. Didcot mainline station is only 4 miles away with a regular service to London, Paddington in approximately 35/40 minutes. The A34 provides easy access to Newbury and Oxford whilst everyday shopping facilities can be found in the nearby market town of Wallingford (4 miles). There is an excellent choice of independent schools in the area including The Oratory, Moulsford Prep, Cranford House, The Dragon, Chandlings Manor and The Manor in Abingdon for prep schools. Secondary schools such as Downe House, Radley and the wide choice of Oxford and Abingdon schools.
Description
Built in 1879, the Old Rectory has been in the loving care of the current owners for thirty years. It is a substantial Victorian country house which is beautifully presented and offers flexible family accommodation taking full advantage of its setting in the village surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds.
A Gothic solid wood porch and front door opens to a hallway leading to the elegant drawing room which is double aspect with views of the garden and has an open fireplace with marble surround. To the front there is a charming sitting room with a large bay window and open fireplace with built-in cupboards to either side. Across the hallway is a dining room with windows to the front and side. The heart of the home is the stunning, open plan kitchen with study and dining areas. It has been extended in recent years and has two sets of double doors opening to the beautiful gardens and and is full of natural light. It benefits from under floor heating, Rako lighting (also in the hall and landing) and a range of quality wall and floor units arranged around a central island. Built-in appliances include two dishwashers, electric Aga, electric oven and a combination oven, ceramic hob and there is a walk-in larder and separate utility room from where steps lead to a generous cellar and the back staircase leading up to the first floor.
The magnificent principal bedroom suite is on the first floor and comprises bedroom with built-in wardrobes, large dressing area with feature fireplace and built-in wardrobes and en suite bathroom. On this floor there is a guest bedroom with an en suite shower room with electric underfloor heating and two further double bedrooms and family bathroom and a separate WC. The second floor has a large bedroom with vaulted ceiling with beams and two further bedrooms and a bathroom.
Outside
The Old Rectory is approached from the lane via a sweeping gravel driveway arriving at the front of the house and detached oak framed double car port and office. To one side is a comprehensive range of stores and outbuildings including tool shed, workshop and storage stable arranged around a courtyard and accessed from the kitchen and gated to the front garden.
The beautiful landscaped gardens are laid mainly to lawn and interspersed with a variety of specimen trees including a Handkerchief, Judas, Tulip, Liquidambar and Magnolia. The walled garden has mature beds throughout with an abundance of herbaceous plants, roses and shrubs providing colour and interest throughout the year. There is a greenhouse and productive vegetable patch with fruit cages and a variety of fruit trees including plum, apple, damson, mulberry, greengage and pear.
The gardens and grounds are secluded and private and can be enjoyed from the stone terrace to the rear of the house and accessed via French doors from the kitchen. This provides the ideal spot for outside entertaining and to enjoy the delights of the beautiful garden. In all extending to about 2 acres.
To the rear of the garden is a heated outdoor swimming pool with alfresco dining area and poolhouse with storage and shower facilities. Beyond is the tennis court with Astroturf surface. Leading from the garden is a separate paddock with a stable and gated access to the lane.
General remarks and stipulations
Tenure
Freehold with vacant possession on completion.
Services
Mains water, drainage and electricity. Oil fired central heating.
Square Footage: 6274 sq ft
Acreage: 2 Acres
Directions
From Henley-on-Thames, leave on the Fairmile towards Oxford (A4130) continuing through Nettlebed to the Crowmarsh Gifford roundabout. Take the left turn signposted to the A4074 to Reading and, at the next roundabout, take the right turn to Didcot on the A4130. Follow this road, by-passing Wallingford, and take the turning into Hithercroft Road signposted to Aston Upthorpe. Turn right staying on Hithercroft Road and after approximately half a mile turn right into High Street. Continue for a third of a mile and turn left into Church Lane and the Old Rectory will be found on the left. Post code 0X11 9AF
Location
The Old Rectory is situated next to the 13th Century church of St John, in the delightful village of South Moreton which lies in the North Wessex Downs aonb, on the edge of the Berkshire Downs, in a sought after part of South Oxfordshire. It is located on the St Birinus pilgrimage route between Blewbury and Dorchester Abbey. The village comprises many attractive period houses, and benefits from a highly regarded primary school and The Crown, a community owned pub. Communications are excellent, with easy access to the M4, M40 and A34. Didcot mainline station is only 4 miles away with a regular service to London, Paddington in approximately 35/40 minutes. The A34 provides easy access to Newbury and Oxford whilst everyday shopping facilities can be found in the nearby market town of Wallingford (4 miles). There is an excellent choice of independent schools in the area including The Oratory, Moulsford Prep, Cranford House, The Dragon, Chandlings Manor and The Manor in Abingdon for prep schools. Secondary schools such as Downe House, Radley and the wide choice of Oxford and Abingdon schools.
Description
Built in 1879, the Old Rectory has been in the loving care of the current owners for thirty years. It is a substantial Victorian country house which is beautifully presented and offers flexible family accommodation taking full advantage of its setting in the village surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds.
A Gothic solid wood porch and front door opens to a hallway leading to the elegant drawing room which is double aspect with views of the garden and has an open fireplace with marble surround. To the front there is a charming sitting room with a large bay window and open fireplace with built-in cupboards to either side. Across the hallway is a dining room with windows to the front and side. The heart of the home is the stunning, open plan kitchen with study and dining areas. It has been extended in recent years and has two sets of double doors opening to the beautiful gardens and and is full of natural light. It benefits from under floor heating, Rako lighting (also in the hall and landing) and a range of quality wall and floor units arranged around a central island. Built-in appliances include two dishwashers, electric Aga, electric oven and a combination oven, ceramic hob and there is a walk-in larder and separate utility room from where steps lead to a generous cellar and the back staircase leading up to the first floor.
The magnificent principal bedroom suite is on the first floor and comprises bedroom with built-in wardrobes, large dressing area with feature fireplace and built-in wardrobes and en suite bathroom. On this floor there is a guest bedroom with an en suite shower room with electric underfloor heating and two further double bedrooms and family bathroom and a separate WC. The second floor has a large bedroom with vaulted ceiling with beams and two further bedrooms and a bathroom.
Outside
The Old Rectory is approached from the lane via a sweeping gravel driveway arriving at the front of the house and detached oak framed double car port and office. To one side is a comprehensive range of stores and outbuildings including tool shed, workshop and storage stable arranged around a courtyard and accessed from the kitchen and gated to the front garden.
The beautiful landscaped gardens are laid mainly to lawn and interspersed with a variety of specimen trees including a Handkerchief, Judas, Tulip, Liquidambar and Magnolia. The walled garden has mature beds throughout with an abundance of herbaceous plants, roses and shrubs providing colour and interest throughout the year. There is a greenhouse and productive vegetable patch with fruit cages and a variety of fruit trees including plum, apple, damson, mulberry, greengage and pear.
The gardens and grounds are secluded and private and can be enjoyed from the stone terrace to the rear of the house and accessed via French doors from the kitchen. This provides the ideal spot for outside entertaining and to enjoy the delights of the beautiful garden. In all extending to about 2 acres.
To the rear of the garden is a heated outdoor swimming pool with alfresco dining area and poolhouse with storage and shower facilities. Beyond is the tennis court with Astroturf surface. Leading from the garden is a separate paddock with a stable and gated access to the lane.
General remarks and stipulations
Tenure
Freehold with vacant possession on completion.
Services
Mains water, drainage and electricity. Oil fired central heating.
Square Footage: 6274 sq ft
Acreage: 2 Acres
Directions
From Henley-on-Thames, leave on the Fairmile towards Oxford (A4130) continuing through Nettlebed to the Crowmarsh Gifford roundabout. Take the left turn signposted to the A4074 to Reading and, at the next roundabout, take the right turn to Didcot on the A4130. Follow this road, by-passing Wallingford, and take the turning into Hithercroft Road signposted to Aston Upthorpe. Turn right staying on Hithercroft Road and after approximately half a mile turn right into High Street. Continue for a third of a mile and turn left into Church Lane and the Old Rectory will be found on the left. Post code 0X11 9AF
