Location

Located in a rural setting in the village of Owlswick, local amenities include a farm shop and cafe, with a Post Office/village store and petrol station one mile away in Longwick. The market town of Princes Risborough, three miles away, provides a selection of everyday shopping facilities, independent shops, churches, restaurants and a library. Its mainline station offers Chiltern Line trains to London Marylebone (from 39 minutes) and Birmingham. There are good road and rail links to London and Oxford.

The surrounding Chiltern Hills provide excellent walking and riding countryside including The Chiltern Way.

Buckinghamshire is renowned for its choice and standard of schooling, both state and private, as the county is one of the last to maintain the traditional grammar school system, with schools in both High Wycombe and Aylesbury. Independent schools include The Griffin, The Beacon, The Gateway, Pipers Corner, Godstowe Preparatory and Wycombe Abbey. All times and distances are approximate.

All times and distances are approximate and correct at the time of writing.

Description

Old Acres is an enchanting Grade II listed property set in a peaceful, secluded location at the end of a no through country road, surrounded by almost 6 acres of mature gardens and meadows, with charming, unspoiled views to the Chiltern hills. This medieval, timber framed building is believed to date back in parts to about 1529 with its distinctive feature of half timbering, a hallmark of the Tudor architectural style. Old Acres retains much of its original charm and character with an array of quirky and period features. The original structure of the building is preserved with an abundance of exposed beams throughout.

An oak framed, tiled entrance porch opens into the reception hall, heavily beamed and brimming with character, featuring a brick fireplace with a decorative wood burner and attractive parquet flooring. To the left of the hallway is a quietly situated study (in what is thought to be the oldest part of the house), offering views over the rear lawn and fields beyond. An original wooden staircase extends to the first-floor accommodation.

The property is spacious and enjoys a wealth of natural light flowing from the welcoming reception hall into the dual aspect sitting room, through the kitchen to an attractive triple aspect family room, ideal as a music room, TV/games room or children's playroom. The sitting room features a handsome brick inglenook fireplace and parquet flooring. Adjacent is a formal dining room with a wood burner, leading into the kitchen/breakfast room, equipped with an excellent range of kitchen units and plenty of room for a breakfast table in the alcove overlooking the garden. Just off the kitchen is a useful store room and cloakroom. A family room beyond the kitchen benefits from fantastic views over the garden with a French door on to a gravelled patio, ideal for outside dining.

On the first floor are three delightful bedrooms with exposed beams, all dual aspect with lovely views; the morning light floods into these rooms. The principal bedroom overlooks the garden and paddock beyond from one aspect, with exceptional views over the rear garden and fields beyond, unspoilt by any other buildings. A dressing room with extensive fitted wardrobes is accessed through a characterful beamed doorway believed to date from the 16th Century, with a bathroom featuring a sunken bath beyond. A second staircase from the family room leads up to a pretty triple aspect bedroom, framing captivating views of the garden and countryside, alongside a shower room.

Old Acres enjoys a superb setting, with a long driveway approach leading to the house, sweeping round to a double garage, which offers the potential to provide office or living space above (subject to the usual planning consents). There are plentiful parking areas for several vehicles. A tennis court is located behind the garage, alongside a summer house with sauna, and a swimming pool requiring restoration.

Set in about 5.63 acres, the gardens and grounds provide a tranquil backdrop to the house with large areas of lawn, interspersed with a variety of mature ornamental and fruit trees. Beyond the formal gardens is paddock land enclosed with post and rail fencing, bordered by mature trees.

Properties like Old Acres, secluded and steeped in history with their appeal intact, are increasingly hard to find. The privacy and serenity of this unique family home are exceptional and viewing is highly recommended to fully appreciate the charm and scope of this captivating period property.