The cottage enjoys a central position within the village, with easy access to the many footpaths and bridleways providing excellent access to the beautiful surrounding countryside. The house was converted to a residential home in 1995 and has been sympathetically updated and improved over the years to create a stylish and elegant home, incorporating the exposed beams and original stone windows with attractive décor that has a timeless appeal.

The layout is well planned for family life, comprising a versatile floor plan that affords a choice of reception rooms and bedrooms on both the ground and first floors. At the heart of the home is the 25ft sitting room, which features a wood-burning stove and ample space for entertaining. The kitchen is a good-size and includes a walk-in pantry and leads through to an east-facing conservatory which would make a fabulous breakfast room, capturing the morning light.

In addition there is a ground floor WC, a boot room and a utility room with space for laundry machines. The ground floor bedroom is accessed from the sitting room and has its own en suite shower room and private access from the garden, making it well suited to older children living at home or visiting guests. Upstairs there are three further bedrooms and a family bathroom with both bath and shower facilities.

Outside

The attractive Cotswold stone house is approached via a shared gravel driveway, leading to a gated parking area at the front and a covered car port with space for two cars, as well as an attached garage. To the front of the house is a generously sized paved terrace that’s ideal for outdoor entertaining in the warmer months, bordered by beech trees creating natural privacy. Steps lead down from the terrace to a lawned area which is enclosed by drystone wall and bordered by a variety of shrubs. A second area of terrace is situated at a lower level and is wonderfully private, accessed from the ground floor bedroom.

Situation

Sandford St Martin is a characterful village set within the unspoilt countryside of North Oxfordshire. Amenities can be found in Middle Barton (one mile) which has a Post Office within a village store and a number of food establishments.

Just 3.6 miles to the west (one mile as the crow flies and 20 minutes’ walk) lies Soho Farmhouse, an exclusive members' club set in 100 acres of stunning Oxfordshire countryside. This luxurious retreat offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern amenities, including a spa, cinema, outdoor swimming pool, and a range of dining options and complements the nearby Daylesford Organic Farm Shop, Estelle Manor and Restoration Hardware at Aynho Park.

The nearby market town of Chipping Norton offers a range of amenities, including supermarkets and schools. For more extensive retail, leisure, and cultural facilities, Banbury, Bicester, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Cheltenham are easily accessible.

The area boasts a wide range of schools, including primary schools in Great Tew and Middle Barton, and secondary schools in Chipping Norton and Bloxham. Independent preparatory schools include St John's Priory (Banbury), Kitebrook (Moreton-in-Marsh), Sibford School, as well as The Dragon School and Summer Fields in Oxford. Senior independent schools include Bloxham School, Tudor Hall (girl's school), Sibford School, Kingham Hill School, and in Oxford, St Edward's, Magdalen College, and Headington.

For leisure and sporting activities, residents can enjoy golf at Tadmarton Heath and Chipping Norton, horseracing at Cheltenham, with a theatre and boutique cinema in Chipping Norton as well as theatre venues in Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford.

Directions

From Strutt & Parker’s Oxford office turn left onto Banbury Road (A4165), after 0.9 mile at the roundabout take the second exit and continue north. At the Kidlington Roundabout take the second exit onto the A4260 and continue for 4.4 miles, before turning left onto the B4027. After 2.4 miles bear right onto Tew Lane and after 3.3 miles, at the T junction, turn left onto Manor Road. Continue into Sandford St Martin and after half a mile turn right into a gravel driveway between trees. Bear around to the left where Dovecote Barn will be seen straight ahead. OX7 7AG ///driven.theory.campfires