Location

Shotover Edge lies in an elevated position on the outskirts of Oxford on the edge of Shotover Park, an area of natural beauty and a protected nature reserve extending to around 117 hectares of woodlands, fields and hidden valleys. The park is accessible to the public for riding, walking and general recreation.

Shotover lies to the east of Headington. Its proximity to the A40 and junction 8 of the M40 makes it extremely accessible to London and the north, and there is a regular train service to London Paddington from Oxford and, from Oxford Parkway, a regular service to London Marylebone.

There is good access to the excellent hospitals and schools in Headington and Oxford, and Headington offers a wide selection of everyday shopping facilities, whilst Oxford city centre is only 3.5 miles away.

Description

Designed and built by the well-known Oxfordshire architect Thomas Rayson in 1914, Shotover Edge is a grand Edwardian residence set in over 3 acres of land with spectacular views. The house is very well proportioned, covering over 5800 sq ft. It has been carefully restored and redecorated resulting in an exceptional family home which combines the very best in chic and luxurious decor with modern high-tech living. It also has excellent eco credentials including a ground source heat pump and effective insulation. The house features a state of the art entertainment, heating, cooling, lighting and security system with automatic blinds, all of which are controlled by a single app. The large, private garden is south facing and has a spacious stone dining terrace with a fully equipped outdoor kitchen.

The surrounding grounds are a children’s paradise featuring a unique and habitable tree house with a climbing wall, slide and zip-wire.

Description
Shotover Edge is approached from the lane via wrought iron electric gates. The driveway has parking for several cars and leads to a double garage. Built of red brick, the house is symmetrical with the formal entrance in the centre of the front facade topped with an ornate porch canopy.

The formal entrance opens into a hallway with chequered marbled floor, an opulent guest cloakroom and the main staircase, as well as a glass door to the terrace. There are four reception rooms. The first, the galleried lounge, is off the entrance hall and spans the depth of the house with dual aspect windows. It is a striking entertaining space and features one of the many original fireplaces and dramatic light fittings in the property, as well as the elegant reclaimed hard wood parquet which covers most of the ground floor. Bifold doors open into the drawing room which has direct access onto the side terrace and a bay window seat with views. The third reception room is set in one of the large symmetrical bays on the back of the house. It features original wood panelling and a cinema system with a hidden screen in the ceiling.

The dining room completes the suite of reception rooms. Set in the second large rear bay, it has direct access to the entertaining terrace and features original wood panelling. The spacious kitchen is a unique mix of bespoke joinery and reclaimed units alongside hi-tech appliances and creative innovation.

The sunken, glass topped wine cellar is its most eye-catching feature. It also has a Quooker with both hot, cold and fizzy water options, an integrated pizza oven, a wine cooler, gas range and a neatly disguised full height fridge and freezer.
The rear entrance hall has boot storage, a smaller cloakroom, a second staircase and a well designed laundry room which has a built in dehumidifier and ceiling clothes airers.

All the rooms have underfloor heating, automatic blinds, mood lighting and speakers as part of the state of the art heating, entertainment and security system recently installed in the property operated via a single app. There are also discreetly hidden air conditioning units in the principle rooms, both on the ground floor and the first floor. A ground source heat pump provides heat for the property and there is a back-up gas boiler.

The first floor has 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. All the bedrooms have underfloor heating and many feature original fireplaces. The principle bedroom suite lies to the west of the property with a spacious dressing room and luxurious bathroom, all offering commanding views over the gardens and beyond.

The guest suite is conveniently set at the opposite end of the house via a bright landing off which the other bedrooms and generous family bathroom are situated.

Gardens & Grounds
The gardens at Shotover Edge amount to 3.2 acres and are very private with plenty of mature shrubs and tree cover and a spectacular vista towards Oxford.

The house is positioned due south with the stone entertaining terrace taking centre stage and facing the gardens. A top of the range outdoor kitchen comes complete with fridge, BBQ and pizza oven. Below the terrace are a series of lawned terraces stone steps leading down the slope towards the children’s play area.

The owners have built a unique tree house with climbing walls and ropes, a dragon slide and a zip wire. The tree house is fully habitable including a shower room, heating and built in beds. It’s the ultimate den and, like the main house, it has the same app controlled security, lighting and heating system.
The south eastern part of the garden also has a disused tennis court with a practice wall which could be brought back into use. The boundary directly abuts Shotover Country Park with access to its vast array of woodland walks and grassland.

Directions

From London From Headington, proceed along Windmill Road and turn left at the traffic lights into Old Road. Continue for approximately 1 mile, over the ring road and Shotover Edge is up the hill on the right hand side.
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