This charming chocolate-box cottage is rich in character and period features, including exposed beams and a charming inglenook fireplace, now inset with a traditional log-burning stove. The cottage’s beautiful interiors complement its historic charm, creating an elegant home that captures the essence of quintessential Cotswold village living.

Hill Cottage is entered via a traditional porchway and entrance hall that leads to a tastefully decorated dining room at the heart of this property. Double-glazed doors open into a light-filled sunroom, a delightful space to relax in and enjoy the outlook over the garden. A light-filled inner hallway provides access to the outside space and leads to the well-appointed kitchen, which features painted bespoke cabinetry and a range of integrated appliances, including an Everhot range cooker and an AEG dishwasher. The floor is laid with Karndean wood, adding both warmth and practicality. The sitting room is especially inviting, with its pretty pastel interiors, beamed ceiling and original fireplace creating a cosy focal point for evenings at home. Charming window seats further enhance the room’s character and appeal. Additional ground floor accommodation includes a utility room and a cloakroom.

Upstairs, the principal bedroom benefits from a smart en suite bathroom with an attractive roll-top bath, while the second bedroom, featuring built-in storage, is served by a well-appointed modern shower room. The sizeable loft offers plenty of storage space with potential to convert (STPP) and there is a further storage space above the full length of the kitchen, accessible via a loft hatch.

Outside

Hill Cottage is quietly positioned on the edge of the village and presents an attractive façade with its Cotswold stone construction and traditional stone-tiled roof, typical of the local vernacular. A gravel parking area sits beside the porchway, which provides sheltered storage, while the frontage is further enhanced by a dry-stone wall and attractive planting. The rear garden is fully enclosed by hedging and traditional stone walls, making it feel wonderfully private. Thoughtfully arranged, it includes a paved terrace to the rear with a useful stone garden store currently used as wine storage. The garden itself is laid to lawn with a gravel seating area and well-considered planting that together create a leafy cottage garden feel. A delightful summerhouse is tucked away at the far end of the garden.

Situation

The historic village of Ascott-under-Wychwood is situated within the picturesque Evenlode Valley, within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Within the village there is a community-run shop, a traditional pub, a church, cricket club and a station which is on the Cotswolds line and links with Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh. Road communications are excellent with fast access to the A44, A34 and M40 for links to the motorway network. An extensive range of facilities can be found in nearby Chipping Norton including everyday shopping, restaurants, a medical surgery and local hospital, with the town also being home to a renowned theatre. Slightly further afield Cheltenham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford provide retail, leisure and cultural amenities as well as a good choice of independent and state schooling. There is a small co-educational private prep school in the village, while the renowned establishments of Dragon, Tudor Hall, Oxford High School, Magdalen College School and St Edwards are within an hour. Soho Farmhouse and Daylesford Organic are 12 miles and seven miles away respectively.

Directions

From Strutt & Parker’s Oxford office turn left onto Banbury Road (A4165), after 0.9 mile at the roundabout take first exit onto the A40 and at the Wolvercote Roundabout take the fourth exit onto the A44 and proceed northwest for approximately seven miles. Turn left after the Duke of Marlborough pub (signposted Charlbury) and follow the B4437 through Charlbury. Leave the village and continue on the B4437 for about 3.5 miles, then turn right (signposted Ashton-u-Wychwood). After half a mile enter the village and turn right onto Shipton Road. Proceed for a further 0.3 miles and the property will be found on the right-hand side. OX7 6AG ///tarred.whistle.roost