House For Sale £950,000
With generous living spaces within this nine-year-old executive-style home, there’s more than enough room for a growing family or downsizers looking for the secure and friendly vibe that comes with village life and the extremely valuable bonus of a frequent bus service into Oxford and the surrounding local towns.
Another huge plus for those with school-aged children is the abundance of excellent independent schools within a six-mile radius – no less than seven top schools!
Officially known as Southmoor with Kingston Bagpuize, the village runs parallel to the A420 – to Oxford in one direction and Swindon in the other – with two Co-op stores, a pub and a buzzing community life.
Discerning home-hunters will find the perfect set-up at Howe House, all revolving round that essential hub of everyday life - a large, light and airy kitchen/breakfast room. This one has plenty of space for a nice big kitchen table and there’s also a breakfast bar and adjoining utility room.
It’s backed up by a dining room that’s made-to-measure for those who like to entertain and a sweeping double-aspect expanse of living room with French doors to the garden and a state-of-the-art Scandinavianwoodburner to keep things cosy in the winter.
Upstairs, the five bedrooms are all generously proportioned with the principal bedroom offering a peaceful retreat for the grown-ups complete with en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe.
Outside, there’s a professionally landscaped garden with illuminated raised terrace – west facing to catch the afternoon sun and the perfect spot for after-work G&T’s or sunbathing.
Rounding off the enticing attractions of Howe House is a double garage and driveway parking space for several cars. It’s a superb house, and we’re delighted to expand on its appealing details . . .
Family foundations
Howe House forms part of an exclusive enclave of just four similar executive homes sharing private cul-de-sac access and parking – a gate into the back garden leads to both sides of the house.
Here’s a residence that puts you and your family first – thoughtfully designed for ease and comfort.
The front door opens into the delightfully spacious entrance hall and a first glimpse of the mellow engineered oak flooring which extends throughout the majority of both floors and adds warm contrast to the neutral décor - there’s more of that honeyed oak in the treads of the staircase too. A big storage cupboard next to the staircase is perfect for coats and shoes and there’s also a cloakroom with WC.
To the right, double doors swing open into the 22x13ft living room which scintillates in lashings of natural light via a window to the front and French doors to the rear, opening onto the garden. This elegant room exudes a warm and relaxed ambience, boosted by the wall-inset woodburner in winter. It’s as versatile as you like and just perfect for watching TV with the family, curling up with a book or enjoying pre-dinner aperitifs with friends.
To the left of the hall is the double-aspect 13x12ft dining room. Whether it’s Sunday lunch with the family or a candlelit dinner with friends, this lovely room will enhance the experience. If formal dining isn’t your thing, this room could be repurposed as desired – it would make a fantastic study or playroom.
The kitchen/breakfast room extends to 21x17ft and is the natural hub of the home with two sets of French doors to the garden, ceramic tiled floor and a stylish combination of granite-topped white and natural wood cabinetry. It has an integrated split-level Neff double oven, fridge/freezer, six-ring gas hob and a breakfast bar with space for a couple of bar stools – an invaluable perch for school-day breakfasts, mid-morning coffee or a casual kitchen supper. There’s plenty of room for a nice big dining table and chairs, plus a sofa and wall-mounted TV if you fancy it. In the summer both sets of French doors can be flung open to achieve that oh-so-desirable ‘indoors-meets-outdoors’ feel.
An adjoining utility room takes care of the laundry with plumbing for washing machine and dryer, a sink and fitted white units identical to the kitchen design.
Bedtime story
Peaceful and calm, the bedrooms of Howe House are exceptionally light and airy, beautifully presented and super-spacious.
Grown-ups get their own private haven in the double-aspect 15x14ft principal bedroom with its adjoining walk-in dressing room - kitted out with enough rails for the most ardent fashionista - and en-suite shower room. Guests are similarly spoiled in the second largest bedroom, 14x11ft, again with its own private shower room.
Two of the remaining bedrooms are of a similar size at 13x11ft and 13x9ft and both have built-in cupboards offering useful storage for children’s toys, books and so on – or could be used as wardrobes. The fifth bedroom is a small double measuring 11x7ft. These bedrooms share the family bathroom.
Into the garden
Professionally designed and landscaped, the gardens of Howe House are privately and securely enclosed by stone walls and timber fencing and have been carefully planted to offer all-year-round colour and interest.
A low stone wall borders the front garden with a timber gate opening onto the paved path to the front door, flanked by lawns with planted borders and ornamental trees. The path continues to the side gate and the back garden which features a generous expanse of lawn for youngsters to run and play plus curvaceous flower-beds and borders to add a stylishly colourful touch in the warmer months, all illuminated when dark falls. There’s also an impressive pedestal urn water feature.
For those who like to be outdoors whenever they can, this garden is well equipped for relaxation and entertaining with a large expanse of paved terrace running the width of the house and extending out next to the French doors of the kitchen/breakfast room – it’s the perfect place for setting up a patio dining set, barbecue, pizza oven, chiminea etc and enjoying al fresco meals and chilling out with friends and family.
The illuminated elevated patio behind the garage has been installed by the current owners and is a super-luxe addition to the garden, positioned south-west to catch the sun’s rays. It’s a great place for corner garden seating or, with table and chairs, it’s a further dining option.
Round and about
While revelling in its countryside setting, Southmoor is blessed with a wide choice of amenities including three convenience stores, a friendly pub, primary school and activity-packed village hall and sports clubs.
Groceries can be picked up at the two local Co-ops – at either end of the village - or One Stop, while the village local, The Waggon & Horses, welcomes both families and dogs and boasts well-kept ales, a pizza menu and lovely big garden.
The village’s John Blandy primary school is Ofsted-rated ‘good’ while nearby Longworth primary school is ‘outstanding’. The three nearest secondary schools are in Abingdon (15-minute drive) and all rated ‘good’. The location is a particular winner when it comes to private education with Cothill, St Hugh’s, Manor Prep, Cokethorpe, Saint Helen & St Katharine school and Abingdon School all within a six-mile radius.
Abingdon and Faringdon, equidistant apart and each a 15-minute drive, are the place for supermarket shopping and each have Waitrose and Tesco stores.
There’s endless scenic countryside walks around Southmoor, and several end at local foodie pubs such as The Plough at Hanney, or the AA two-rosette White Hart at Fyfield. There are lovely walks along the Thames path and through Chimney Meadows nature reserve too.
Golfers will be delighted to be within a few miles of Frilford Heath Golf Club, one of Oxfordshire’s finest with a trio of 18-hole courses to play, while there’s something for the whole family at Millets Farm with its pick-your-own, farm shop, garden centre, restaurant and café, play barn, falconry and farm animals for the kids to meet - there’s always loads to see and do.
Commuters favour this area of Oxfordshire for its connectivity. Didcot Parkway station is only 20 minutes by car with frequent trains to London Paddington in just 45 minutes and there’s easy access to the A34, M40 and M4. The local bus services are excellent too with the S6 running to both Oxford and Swindon and the number 15 between Abingdon and Witney.
THE FINER DETAILS:
Square footage (inc. garage): 2494 sq ft / 231 sq mtr
Distances:
· Oxford: 13 miles
· Witney: 11 miles
· Didcot Parkway: 14 miles (trains to London Paddington from 38 minutes)
· London: 71 miles
· Heathrow Airport: 59 miles
EPC: B
Council Tax Band: G
Local Authority: Vale of White Horse District Council |
EPC Rating: B
