Location

Bampton 4 miles, Witney 7 miles, Oxford 20 miles, Didcot Parkway (London Paddington from 42 mins) 19 miles, Oxford Parkway (London Marylebone from 55 mins) 20 miles
(Distances are approximate)

Owl Barn is a tucked away rural idyll. One of three barns nestled within the ancient landscape of Chimney Meadows, the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust’s largest nature reserve in Oxfordshire, supporting all manner of wildlife. There are myriad bridleways and footpaths to explore and enjoy from the barn, including along the River Thames.

Bampton, four miles away, has a small supermarket, artisan coffee shop and bakery, three pubs, garden centre, two beauty salons and a doctors’ surgery. Witney, just seven miles away has two large supermarkets and more extensive shopping facilities.

There is a wide choice of highly regarded schools within easy reach with St Hugh’s prep school and Cokethorpe School being only five and six miles away respectively. There are primary schools in Aston, Bampton and Buckland.

Description

Originally converted in 2007, Owl Barn has been totally renovated and updated.   It is now a light filled and characterful family home in a truly enviable setting. Stone and wood flooring, braced wood doors with iron latches and beams feature throughout.

The front door, with its brass owl knocker, opens to a large reception hall with a further door opening to the rear garden. The huge triple aspect kitchen/living room has two sets of glazed French doors opening to the east and westerly aspects of the garden. A huge stone fireplace houses a wood burning stove. The working end of this lovely room features painted wooden cabinetry beneath granite worktops with a range cooker, integrated dishwasher, a butler sink and a large wooden topped breakfast bar. To the far side of the entrance hall is a cloakroom and a bedroom with en suite shower room. This space would make an ideal study or playroom.

Stairs rise with a half landing to a large galleried landing. The principal bedroom features oak beams and a freestanding double ended slipper bath in the bedroom with a cloakroom just off. There are three further bedrooms on the first floor, one with an en suite shower room and a family bathroom. There is ample storage to both ground and first floors.

The gardens wrap around three sides of the barn with views out over the nature reserve, towards the river. The pretty front garden is terraced with creative planting in oak sleeper raised beds   A gravelled terrace spans the southern aspect of the barn and drops to a lower stone terrace. Beyond the raised beds is a quirky shepherd’s hut style shed, open to one side housing a freestanding, double ended tin slipper bath, creating the opportunity for indulgent and luxurious open air bathing.

Field gates open both from the garden and the parking area to the meadow beyond, enclosed with post and rail fencing.
*Some of the adjoining wildlife meadow is available by separate negotiation.

Directions

From Oxford take the A420 towards Faringdon. After approximately 13 miles turn right to Bampton. Continue over Tadpole Bridge and turn right after about half a mile. Take the next right hand turn. Upon reaching Chimney continue round a sharp right hand bend. Pass Chimney Farm Cottages on the left. At the ‘private’ sign turn right into the drive to the barns.

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