3 bed detached house for sale

Steadys Lane, Stanton Harcourt, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29

A rare opportunity to acquire a charming three-bedroom, Grade II listed thatched cottage in the historic Oxfordshire village of Stanton Harcourt, sympathetically restored and carefully maintained to preserve its period character.

The property is rich in original features, with exposed stonework and beams throughout much of the house, lime plaster and clay-painted walls, traditional oak joinery and a particularly atmospheric inglenook incorporating a historic bread oven within a beehive oven. A section of original wattle and daub has also been revealed in the drawing room.

The accommodation offers a wonderful sense of history and individuality, with many rooms enjoying dual-aspect views across the south-facing garden, surrounding fields and towards the medieval kitchen, Pope's Tower and St Michael's Church. Pope's Tower is a notable 15th-century stone tower associated with the poet Alexander Pope, who stayed there while translating part of Homer's works.

The kitchen features a bespoke semi-fitted design, including a farmhouse bench specially made to follow the property's curved wall. The sitting room benefits from an oak-framed double-glazed south-facing window and glazed door, while the doors between the hall, kitchen and sitting room have been replaced with individually designed English oak doors.

Upstairs, the landing has a high ceiling, an original Crown glass leaded window and extensive eaves storage. Bedroom Two retains an original Crown glass window and has a built-in toilet and washbasin, while Bedroom One has a high ceiling, exposed beams and the benefit of an en-suite. Bedroom three is positioned at the rear of the cottage with a separate access from the ground floor. The bathroom and shower room have both been thoughtfully improved, with further potential to create additional shower facilities using existing plumbing.

The property's central ceiling beam runs from the hall through to the drawing room and has been described by the owners' surveyor as an "architecturally historic beam", adding to the sense of heritage found throughout the house.

The south-facing garden of approx. 0.25 acre is a particular highlight, enjoying sunlight throughout the day and offering attractive views across the surrounding countryside. A large patio has been created immediately around the house, extending through to the courtyard and providing a wonderful outdoor entertaining space and natural suntrap. At the upper end of the garden, broad limestone steps have transformed what was previously a simple rubble slope into an attractive architectural feature linking the two sides of the garden.

For those working from home or pursuing hobbies, the substantial 2.43m x 4.27m garden workshop provides excellent additional space. It has a solid foundation and its own electricity supply, with considerable potential for conversion into a home office or studio, subject to any necessary consents. Its elevated position enjoys particularly appealing views over the fields.

The garden also houses a large Robinsons greenhouse with automatic ventilation, while a small wildlife pond attracts water snails, dragonflies, toads and newts. The garden has been deliberately designed and maintained to encourage and nurture wildlife.

There is also a historic planning opportunity worth noting: Planning permission was previously granted to build a garage, horse stable and tack room on the eastern edge of the garden. This permission has now expired, but may be of interest to a future owner considering additional outbuildings, subject to obtaining the necessary consents.

The cottage is situated in Stanton Harcourt, an attractive and historic Oxfordshire village surrounded by open countryside and characterised by its period properties, thatched cottages and strong sense of community.

Despite its peaceful rural setting, the village is conveniently positioned for access to Witney and Oxford, making it an appealing location for those seeking a traditional village lifestyle within easy reach of the area's larger centres.

A characterful historic cottage, sympathetically restored for modern living, in one of Oxfordshire's most appealing villages.