The Paddock, Somerton, OX25

A pretty and quite substantial Victorian cottage of over 1,300 sq ft with a significantly extended ground floor and 3 light bedrooms, tucked away off a private lane in the heart of a lovely village. Very private garden, and two parking spaces. NO CHAIN.

Somerton village offers a rare mix of countryside seclusion and easy access to all amenities, sitting amidst the wonderful rolling countryside of the Cherwell valley. Within a short drive are rail and road links to London M40, Oxford via Kidlington A4260 and Banbury. The local historic village of Deddington offers various food shops, pubs, a library, health centre, and a primary school and a monthly French-type market. The village itself dates back to Saxon times plus it is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and the Church of St James dates back in part to at least 1074. There are many local activities, a number of which revolve around a fine village hall, rebuilt with lottery money in 2008. This features everything from toddler groups to films, evening talks and a Thursday evening bar (which we are told is very popular!).

.

Shire Cottage is a prime example of a character house that also provides the ease of use required for modern living. The house dates to Victorian times hence exhibits many lovely period features but in addition it has been extended it to provide far better living space. Tucked away on a small private lane the property is exceptionally quiet, not overlooked, and it backs onto open land behind with the uneven ground showing the remains of the old Manor house. NB this part of the village is classified as a Conservation area. It's peaceful, private and secluded, and yet still just a short distance from amenities. This property is really lovely, it just needs someone with the time to put it back into perfect condition.

..

The house is approached past a hardstanding for two cars via a path between hedges which leads to a stable front door. This opens into a porch which in turn accesses the living room. The living room is surprising in its size, dual aspect and a central feature is the classically Victorian open fireplace. To the rear a door leads into an open-plan hall off which are the bathroom and kitchen. The bathroom has heritage-style fitments in abundance including a roll top bath and a high-mounted cistern for the wc with chrome downpipe. The kitchen is functional and a good size but requires updating. Units are arranged around three sides with room for a breakfast table (although you wouldn't necessarily need one as you have a good dining room). To the rear a door leads through to perhaps the best space in the property. A wonderful living/ dining area which is thoughtfully designed and finished, large and very light. The main dining area has a pitched slate roof with the oak timbers exposed, the front wall is a lovely feature with exposed stone. To the rear the sun room is double glazed and designed in such a way as to be a year-round living space. There are doors to the left leading to a path at the side going to front and rear gardens, underfoot the tiled floor is heated. Steps to the rear, under which is a storage space, lead up to a studio/ home office with much of the stone exposed, which overlooks the garden.

...

Upstairs three elegant bedrooms all offer space for a double bed if required, and all have exposed wide plank Victorian floors. The third bedroom is very pretty with two velux windows providing excellent light in addition to the main window that overlooks the garden and the open land to rear. Bedrooms one and two are both generous in size and double aspect. It is also worth noting a fireplace correct for the period has been reintroduced in bedroom two. Plans have been drawn to create a shower room in the main bedroom, if anyone particularly demands an upstairs bathroom, and costings also checked - further details available on request.

....

Outside the space is landscaped (although does need cutting back) and quiet. To the front there is a garden area mainly laid to gravel but surrounded by various shrubs. The side passage to the left leads up to a lovely garden laid mostly to lawn. It is flanked by a stone wall to the rear and set up to provide a sun trap seating area in one corner, in addition to various beds and borders. Several trees and shrubs make the garden a calm and attractive space, and outside storage is more than amply catered for with a large timber work shed.