Location

East Hagbourne is a pretty and active village, with easy access to the motorway network via the A34, and the rail network via Didcot Parkway. The village boasts a church, village hall, community shop and post office, primary school and popular Fleur de Lys pub.

The Sustrans Cycle Track, accessed by the church, makes for an easy cycle commute to both Didcot Parkway and the Harwell Science Park. Sitting at the foot of the Downs and the ancient Ridgeway, there are myriad opportunities for walking and riding nearby. There is golf at nearby Hadden Hill and Abingdon offers extensive, highly regarded sporting facilities. Rowing, rugby, hockey and athletic clubs are to be found in both Abingdon and Oxford.

Day to day shopping needs are met in the market towns of Abingdon and Wallingford, both nearby with weekly markets and large supermarkets. Historic Oxford presents myriad cultural activities and pastimes, as well as more extensive shopping opportunities.

There is an excellent choice of schools in the area, both state and private, in Abingdon, Moulsford, Oxford and Didcot.

Description

Architecturally interesting, Parsonage Farm has been a well loved family home for over 50 years. It presents an exciting opportunity to acquire a house brimming with character to update for 21st century family living. The timeline and history are evident, inside and out, and speak of the story of this house. The oldest part dates to circa 1650, with a typical Queen Anne façade added in 1702, showcasing the classic symmetry of the style.

Original architectural and design details abound throughout the house. Chequered stone flooring, fielded panelling with moulded dado rail to the drawing room, principal and guest bedrooms, dentil and moulded cornicing, all feature. A richly carved, early 18th century Baroque white marble fireplace takes centre stage in the drawing room. Fifteen pane horizontal sashes, two beautiful leaded light Ipswich windows below carved winged heads to the outside wall are thought to have been repurposed from the dissolution of the monasteries. Fifteen pane vertical sashes, with their original wooden shutters, feature window seats below. The front door opens to the dining hall with its stone flagged floor, bespoke bookcases and burr walnut fireplace surround. Just off is a study with its book lined walls and a cloakroom. The dual aspect drawing room features panelled walls, the ornate marble fireplace, and four sash windows with window seats. The sitting room looks out over the formal gardens with a door opening to the brick terrace. The kitchen looks out over the front and rear courtyards and has a range of base and wall units and walk-in pantry. All reception rooms and kitchen are accessed from the inner hallway. The utility and laundry/plant rooms are just off the kitchen, as is the connecting door to the self-contained, one bedroom cottage. The 18th century, open well staircase winds to the top floor, connecting the different ages and characters of the house. Half landings and corridors lead off to all bedrooms and bathrooms.

The beautiful principal bedroom has full height panelling with two large sash windows with window seats and an en suite bathroom with fitted wardrobes. Also off this landing is the guest bedroom. A corridor in the older part of the house has two further bedrooms and a bathroom. To the top floor are three bedrooms, a bathroom and large store room.

Outside
Hakka’s Brook meanders around three sides of the mostly walled, enchanting gardens and land, lovingly created over time by the present owners. The striking yew topiary garden, designed as a courtyard, has views to and through the stunning, listed cart barn and on to the gardens beyond.
The formal gardens stretch out from the southern aspect of the house. Formal in nature, they perfectly reflect the symmetry of the Queen Anne façade of the house. Bordered by ancient walls behind deep frothing herbaceous flower beds, with specimen trees including Persian ironwood, mulberry and catalpa, they lead on to the orchard. In complete contrast to the more formal gardens, the orchard is wilder in nature. Apple, pear and plum trees are underplanted with swathes of snowdrops, and daffodils. A large pond and Hakka’s Brook offer a variety of natural habitats for all manner of wildlife. The swimming pool with its grassy banks has a timber pool house adjacent with gas, power and water supplied.

The striking, timber framed cart barn lies just beyond the yew topiary garden. The separately listed barn lends itself to a variety of uses, subject to the usual planning permissions. The long barn, situated to the right of the driveway, provides multi-purpose space, presently used for garaging, workshop, games room, stores, potting shed and a four bay open barn to the end.

Directions

Take the Milton Interchange exit off the A34. At the roundabout take the exit A4130 to Wantage and Harwell. After approximately two miles at the roundabout take the first exit onto A417 to Blewbury. After two miles turn left to West Hagbourne. After leaving the village take right turn to East Hagbourne. Follow the road left at the memorial, past the Fleur de Lys pub. The entrance to Parsonage Farm is on the right after a short distance.

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