Location

Hampton Gay is a small hamlet about 6 miles to the North of the city of Oxford, surrounded by open countryside and farmland. This historical hamlet contains a few houses, including Manor Farm. Within minutes are the villages of Hampton Poyle (with its excellent public house, The Bell) and Bletchingdon, where there is a primary school and local food store. The nearby villages of Islip, Weston-on-the Green and Kirtlington all have local facilities and Oxford is only 6 miles.

The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book, with the original Manor House almost completely destroyed by fire in the late 19th century. The farm has been owned by various religious orders, including the Knights Templar, and the surrounding estate has also passed through various owners, including Viscount Wenman and Wadham College.

The area is particularly sought-after due to the proximity to Oxford, Summertown and the many highly acclaimed schools, including St Edward's, Summer Fields, Oxford High School, Headington School, the Dragon, Magdalen College School and Radley College, amongst others.

Communications are excellent with Junction 9 of the M40 about 6 miles away. There is a fast train service from Bicester to London Marylebone (approximately 50 minutes) and also from Oxford Parkway with services to London Paddington and Marylebone from 66 minutes.

Description

Manor Farmhouse and Courtyard

Manor Farm House is a substantial and attractive Grade II listed house situated at the end of a long track within the hamlet of Hampton Gay. The house has been recently refurbished and cleverly enlarged by the current owners and now comprises flexible accommodation, including a wonderful kitchen/breakfast room with direct access to and views of the garden and a charming bakehouse with original historic features including an open fireplace. Upstairs the current configuration provides a master bedroom and five further bedrooms.

Recently both planning and Listed Building Consent has been gained for the rearrangement of the first and second floors to create further bedrooms and bathrooms.

Outside the house has a south facing walled garden and former grass tennis court which lead to an orchard and vegetable garden. The northern boundary of the walled garden is a stone barn which could, subject to planning, provide additional accommodation or even link to the house.

To the east of the house there is a traditional courtyard of stone farm buildings which provide garaging and workshop space.

The Farm Yard

Beyond the traditional courtyard is a farmyard; a mixture of traditional stone farm buildings and modern portal frame farm buildings. Of particular note is the Threshing Barn which is full height, open to the eaves and extends to approximately 1,083 square feet.

Land

The land at Manor Farm is currently used as an organic grassland farm and grazed by the vendor's herd of Longhorns.

It comprises a relatively level run of pasture made up of permanent pasture in the parkland, river meadows and arable land (currently in grass leys). The land has been farmed organically on a rotational grazing basis with the Longhorn herd. The free draining nature of much of the land allows the herd to stay outside all year.

There are various copses and covets including the wonderfully named Madam Hindes's Spinney and a programme of hedge planting has been undertaken on the farm since the vendors purchased. The land also benefits from various wetlands and a pond.

The river Cherwell forms much of the western and southern boundary and the vendors have enjoyed wild swimming from a particular spot thanks to the construction of a small wooden jetty.

Directions

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From the M40, (Junction 9), proceed along the A34 signposted to Oxford and Newbury. After around 2.5 miles, take the exit signposted B4027 and proceed towards Bletchingdon. On entering the village turn left at the triangular village green signed to Hampton Poyle. After approximately half a mile take the right turn to Hampton Gay, proceed to the end of the lane and the entrance to Manor Farm will be seen on the left.