Location

Souldern is a charming village situated on the edge of the Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire border. There is a parish church, public house/restaurant, The Fox, Village Hall, children's playground, allotments, many rural walks and a playing field.

The nearby market town of Banbury caters for the everyday requirements whilst for more extensive facilities, at Bicester Shopping Village 7.5 miles, or Oxford is within 17 miles.
The village lies within the catchment area for Fritwell Primary School with secondary education available at Bicester or Banbury. Local private schools include Winchester House, Beachborough, Carrdus, Stowe, Bloxham and Tudor Hall, in addition to a number in Oxford, including The Dragon School, St Edwards, Magdalen, Abingdon, Radley College and Headington girls school.

Mainline railway station at Banbury offers services to London Marylebone in approx. 56 mins, or Bicester to London (Marylebone) in approx. 46 mins. M40 junction 10 is about 3 miles.

Leisure and sporting activities include Soho Farmhouse at Great Tew; golf at Tadmarton and Brailes; horse racing at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Cheltenham; indoor sports centres at Banbury; motor racing at Silverstone; Bicester Village; polo at Kirtlington and Southam; walking and riding locally.

Description

Handsome Grade II listed village house of 17th century origins with later additions.

The property is of stone construction under a pitch Stonesfield slate and re-constituted Stonesfield slate roof.

Wealth of period features include open fireplaces (Chesney and Clearview wood burning stoves), mullion windows, shutters, window seats, exposed floor boards and elegant oak staircase.

The property has been extensively and sympathetically improved and modernised by the current owner particularly a stunning Prime Oak extension. This addition has created the modern kitchen/living/entertaining space today's buyers yearn and this is enhanced by the Hunts of Bloxham bespoke handmade kitchen fittings, two Fisher & Paykel dishwashers, Quooker tap, four oven total control electric Aga, wet underfloor heating, extensive glazing to two elevations with Argon-insulated windows and doors out into the terrace and garden beyond plus generous rooflight. The result is a room offering a real sense of space and light, key requisites to modern living.

The improvements continue throughout the house to the wood burning stoves, cast iron radiators, lighting and white bathroom fittings, Fired Earth tiles, under floor heating and Lefroy Brooks and Fired Earth taps.

Useful cellar/basement ideal for wine and has planning for alteration to create additional accommodation/office/cinema room. Pantry for those who love to entertain or large families. A key improvement is the creation of separate laundry and spacious utility room with back door perfect for day to day access, dogs, coats, boots.

Attic storage on the second floor offers potential to be renovated into an en suite bath/shower room or additional space, subject to the relevant consents.

Natural light pervades throughout, enhanced by generous ceiling heights which are unusual given its age and architecture.

Externally the works continue with a lovely, level walled garden carefully curated by Nicholson Nurseries with central lawn surrounded by garden rooms styled on a number of themes including French, Tropical, Spring and include an iris walk flanked by espaliered apple and pear trees. The western boundary is marked by a carefully tended line of Holm oaks providing all year round protection and privacy. The wide selection of flower and plants include rose, raspberry, gooseberry, fig all creating an abundance of colour and scent plus endless opportunities for homemade jams and preserve.

Tucked into the corner of the garden is a thatched roof garden hut (Julian Christian) with light and power connected, perfect for entertaining. Immediately to the rear of the house is a sunken paved entertaining area with pizza oven.

From the village a side lane gives access to the driveway, flanked by white hydrangeas, which leads to the rear of the house and parking area.

To the rear is a detached Prime Oak annexe and car port comprising one bedroom annexe, gym, plant room and two bay car port. The annexe is ideal for guest accommodation, working from home or income stream.

In all about 0.3 acre.

This is a great example of village living, where modern meets old, giving the next owner an architectural and elegant canvas with a curated modern finish.