2 Bed Cottage For Sale

One of the oldest houses in the village, dating to the early 17th century. An exquisitely characterful cottage with surprisingly generous proportions (over 1,100 sq ft), gorgeous beams, exposed stone and a huge fireplace. 2 double bedrooms, refitted bathroom, kitchen/diner with lantern roof.

Kirtlington needs little introduction locally. It is, simply, one of the most popular villages in North Oxfordshire. There are many reasons. The great local primary school also feeds through to an excellent C of E secondary in Woodstock (with private schools also within easy driving distance). Two high quality pub/restaurants provide great food and drink. Close road and rail links (40 mins to Marylebone from Bicester North - 6 miles away) provide immensely easy commuting. The old stone quarry by the canal, plus the Capability Brown gardens of Kirtlington Park, offer lovely walks etc. But for many, it's the community with its all-inclusive ethos, sense of vibrancy and spirit that makes it the sort of place people rarely want to leave.

One of the oldest properties in the village, Red Rose Cottage dates back at least in part to the 17th century. If only walls could talk... Iron-hard beams hand-cut in local woods from the time of Charles 1st cross ceilings as they have done for centuries, linking walls built with stone from the local quarry. And unlike many cottages the rooms are beautifully proportioned with good ceiling heights, hence it never feels constrained. Our client has owned Red Rose for many years and gently upgraded/ refreshed it throughout, including the addition of the lantern roof that now covers a lovely dining area. And quite apart from the character, our vendor adores the location. They love watching the world go by, seen and not heard through bespoke double glazed windows. We think it's a house that anyone who loves character will find pretty much irresistible.

A beautiful, thick timber door encloses the front porch, stone-built with slender windows flanking either side. The internal door is a charming painted timber item with Suffolk latch and a glazed upper half, through which you gain the first glimpse of the rather special interior. Looking up the stairs, a pretty casement window on the landing floods light downwards, and the first of many ceiling and wall timbers frames the view - along with a small door halfway up the wall accessing the under-stairs cupboard!

The door to the left opens into the living room, which is utterly charming. Beams overhead and exposed stone walls frame a wonderful space that's surprisingly light and larger than expected. At the front a window seat beneath the casement is a lovely place to watch the world go by. And a lovely Inglenook fireplace that retains its bread oven is a wonderful central focus.

Heading out to the kitchen at the rear, this is another room that's a pleasant surprise. In recent years the space has been expanded to provide a really wonderful dining area. The inclusion of a lantern roof overhead was a stroke of genius as it's provided the whole room with the maximum possible light. There's ample room for a large table and half a dozen chairs with ease, and the fitted kitchen at the opposite end includes a Belfast style sink placed perfectly to watch the birds from the rear window. And while there isn't a utility room, the cloak room behind the dining area also houses several floor-to-ceiling cupboards handy for storing cleaning products, vacuum etc.

Back to those characterful stairs, and at the top the pretty landing accesses the first of two bedrooms, plus the bathroom. The bedroom is a large and lovely room with more beams crossing the ceiling, creating a really lovely ambience. Windows to either end ensure it's also a light and airy space, and the chimney breast (with a small fireplace still evident) is flanked on both sides with store cupboards/wardrobes.

The bathroom next door was recently updated, and this included removing the bath in favour of a shower. A simple white suite, cream floor, plus white tiles with just a couple of aquamarine accents, gives it a clean and fresh feel. And all this contrasts beautifully with the timber of the beams and under stairs cupboard door.

On the top floor, the second bedroom is another generous double. Here the history of the house is the most evident. Originally thatched, the a-frame truss timber that supported it are still here... This plus the running purlins frame what is a really pretty room that's also a very good size, with various eaves cupboards including a wardrobe to cover the practicalities of storage. At 18 feet long it's a generous and lovely space.

Outside to the front the house sits back from the lane behind a verge then a lawn. The verge is used by this house for parking that's "unofficial", but as with many village houses it has done so without issue for decades. Behind it, a lawn separates this from the pretty planted borders next to the house. At the rear, the garden is relatively compact but awfully pretty. It's reached from the kitchen via a pair of glazed doors that open onto a patio running the full width behind the kitchen. A large shed sits to the right side, providing ample storage. On the left a gate provides access out to the village, and next to it the vendors have created a large and beautiful rockery that's stacked with all manner of flowers, shrubs and other plants, including a large and mature tree. The whole garden is surrounded by stone walling and fences that are pretty as well as providing great seclusion. Note for those wanting to stretch their legs further, there are lovely walks in Kirtlington Park, the local quarry (with beautiful woodland and canalside trails), and many bridleways.

Mains water, electricity, gas CH
Cherwell District Council
Council tax band D
£2,093 p.a. 2022/23
Freehold