Fenway, Steeple Aston

A fine example of a converted barn, sitting on a quiet village lane. Over 1,800 sq ft with four bedrooms (one en-suite), 20 ft living room, 16 ft dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, garage and parking - and even retaining the charming hayloft steps to the side.

Steeple Aston is an ancient settlement with roots going back to Roman times, maybe earlier. Today it is one of the most popular villages in the area, offering the rare mix of its own shop and Post Office (a few minutes' walk), a popular pub, a primary school dating back nearly 400 years, and a 1000 year old church, all set in pretty, rural location. The community is enthusiastic and vibrant with activities ranging from WI to bell ringing, football and cricket, and it is in the catchment for Deddington health centre. Designated a conservation area in 1988 it is set in glorious surroundings with the river Cherwell running through the valley. It is also well placed for commuting by road or rail to Oxford and London, Banbury and Birmingham.

Part of an old farmyard, number 4 is a rather lovely detached converted barn sitting in a deliciously quiet and leafy part of the village. The character facade hides a practical and relaxing interior, with large and bright main rooms that are easy to use and well proportioned. And the character sits easily alongside the modern fittings, with the original hayloft stone steps and exposed roof trusses nodding to the origins of the building. With living spaces that are all roomy and bright, supported by bedrooms larger than expected, it all adds up to a really great home in a fab location.

Coming into the mews, the garden gate gives access to a path leading to a stable door. Once inside, the hall is bright and broad, with stairs leading away on the left. Straight ahead a pair of doors brings you into the kitchen. To the left hand side is an area perfect for a breakfast table, and on the right a pleasant array of light-coloured units runs around three sides. A modern stainless steel oven and gas hob, dishwasher etc, are inset, and the units are topped off with a long run of work surfaces. It s a lovely room, with a tiled floor continued through from the hall, very practical and ergonomic.

Pan down the hall and on the right, the large cloakroom is generous enough to double as a very handy store space for boats, coats etc. Next along, the dining room is a very pleasant surprise. It s a lovely room, with such great space that a large table and chairs can sit surrounded by all manner of dressers, cabinets etc with acres to spare. The fact that in our photo you can also see a range of guitars, amps and even a drum kit confirms that comment!

We ve left the best til last. Overlooking the garden is a wonderful, large living room with windows to the left and a pair of French doors flanked by further windows to the end - bright and very positive. It s also a great size, so any suite finds ample room without compromise. And the fact that those French doors lead onto a beautiful terrace is the icing on the cake.

Upstairs, over the landing is an A-frame truss, a remnant of the origins of this property is life as a barn, and a roof light window overhead is a clever touch as it brings in so much light. There are four bedrooms on this floor. Dead ahead a large double at the end of the house contains two more of those charming roof trusses. At the end a further stable door opens onto the old stone steps that used to serve this room when it was a hayloft or similar. Apart from the charm and the character, it's also a very useful separate entrance.

Next door, the smallest of the bedrooms is currently used as a study. However its dimensions are more than good enough to use as a bedroom. At the other end of the landing the character changes, the bedroom containing more roof trusses, but this time the ceiling above is vaulted, making what is already a large and pleasant room feel larger still.

And the last of the bedrooms is very much the most interesting. Large and bright, this principal bedroom is ample by almost any standard. The largest of double beds easily sits to one side and an alcove to one corner provides a natural spot for fitting extensive storage cupboards or wardrobes. Even when fully furnished it s a spacious room, much more so than we usually find in older properties of this type. There is also an ensuite, modern and attractive complete with a soaker head over the shower. And the rest of the bedrooms are served by a similarly attractive bathroom fitted in the same style, this time with a bath.

The outside space is equally interesting. We already commented on the terrace at the rear. In greater detail, it s flanked on either side by a stone wall, which is low on the side bordering the close as it s interspersed with fencing that s topped off with the trellis - a clever way to provide a feeling of openness and maximise the light without losing privacy. The terrace runs the full width, a perfect place for summer parties, with four shallow steps down the garden behind. Lawn takes over, attractively bordered with foxgloves, various roses, alliums and heucheras, to mention just a few. At the end of the garden a trellis fence with a central arbor closes off the gravel driveway behind, which provides gated space for several vehicles. As there s parking for more to the side of the house, at present half the driveway is home to some timber framed veg planters. The garage behind can accommodate one vehicle with ease, and above it the roof pitch lends itself well to providing good storage if wished.Mains water, electric, gas CHCherwell District CouncilFreeholdCouncil tax band F?3,052-67 p.a. 2022/23