School House

School House Oakley Park | Frilford Heath | Abingdon | Oxfordshire | OX13 6QW

SCHOOL HOUSE School House is an exceptional five bedroom and three bathroomed property incorporating versatile and spacious luxury living. Forming part of a previously private Oxfordshire country estate, this property is set in twenty-two acres of pasture, paddock, stabling and woodlands. Recent comprehensive renovations incorporate a traditional oak framed western wing, in perfect contrast to the contemporary main house. Integrated home automation technologies enable seamless living, along with the benefits of energy-efficient ground source heating, providing underfloor heating throughout. The property also benefits from high-speed fibre 1Gb broadband internet.

INTRODUCTION School House, Frilford Heath is a contemporary property with a traditional oak framed western wing completed in 2018. Set in a mature rural setting which once formed part of Oakley Park, a former private Oxfordshire country estate once owned by Sir Francis Gore-Browne and Lady Helonora Gore-Browne. This stunning property lies within twenty-two acres of woodlands, gardens, paddocks, including stables and store. Having recently been extensively renovated, this property incorporates an energy efficient ground source heating system, along with integrated home automation technologies that enable the homeowner to control all aspects of living in the property from the Control4 system. The property features hot water underfloor heating throughout the whole home.

The impressive 820 sq ft kitchen, dining/living room creates a social space, incorporating bespoke kitchen cabinetry, handcrafted by Ewan House of Cirencester, with two large quartz island units, including a breakfast bar. There is a feature fireplace to one end with oak mantle above and log burning stove, with ample space for a large dining table with the possibility to comfortably entertain large groups. Bifold and French doors lead out to the large rear gardens. A separate boot/utility room gives direct access to a triple attached garage, with loft storage, as well as cloakroom and rear door.

The entrance hall has a pair of grand arched glazed doors to the rear entertaining area, a pair of feature sliding double oak barn style doors give access to both the kitchen and another single barn door to the vaulted oak framed western wing. The large study area incorporates the main contemporary staircase which leads to the first floor, fabricated from glass and metal with oak treads. A single oak pocket door leads to a cloakroom and a double set of oak pocket doors opens the space the large living room.

At the centre of the living room is a free-standing log burning stove, two oak doors lead to the entertainment area to the rear.

The two double ground floor bedrooms benefit from feature oak beams, tiled floors and access via single oak doors to the patio and entertainment area. Both are served by an adjacent full modern luxury bathroom, with large shower, bath, full height towel rail, vanity unit, and recessed WC. The west wing is completed with stairs to a first-floor, mezzanine gymnasium/bedroom five.

The first floor principal bedroom suite, with dressing room and en-suite with double shower, all benefit from bifold and French doors leading to an oak and glass balcony, which affords views of the majority of the property, as does the first floor guest bedroom with separate en-suite.

GROUND FLOOR Upon entering the property through the wide double oak doors, it is evident that the property has been able to combine both traditional, and contemporary creating a very special design and feel. Your immediate impression is of light and space. A contemporary metal fabricated, and glass sided bridge overlooks the entrance hall, which features arched glazed doors of grand proportion, looking out towards a spacious entertaining raised deck area with hot tub and patio. The bridge provides the link to the principal and guest suites on the first floor of the main house from the staircase in the western wing.

The hallway immediately affords a view to both the traditional oak framed western wing accommodation and to the stunning open plan kitchen, living and dining room. The Ewan House of Cirencester bespoke 42’ kitchen, with living room and dining area, is exceptional.

The oak sourced from the property has been incorporated within the larder cabinets. Quartz counter tops and two large island units are balanced by a dining space with fireplace with oak mantle featuring a log burning stove. There is a comprehensive array of quality appliances both integrated and free standing. The boot room/utility with sink and separate cloakroom with space for further appliances gives access to the rear garden and the triple garage (with loft storage above). A comprehensive commercial three-phase electricity supply has been installed, allowing for the supply of an eco efficient ground source heating system, with separate plant room.

The western wing was completed in 2018 with its more traditional oak framed design. The vaulted space features exposed oak beams to ceilings and walls within the ground floor living spaces within this wing.

From the entrance hall there is a single sliding oak door to a large study, with extra wide glass sided staircase rising to the first floor, and a separate cloakroom. Sliding oak pocket doors open onto the living room, which is a light and spacious room with oak mantle shelf providing a backdrop to the free-standing log burning stove. Two single doors lead to a rear patio, and entertaining area from this room. To the far end of this wing is an inner hall with glass elevations to the front of the property, this leads to the two double ground floor bedrooms, both benefiting from an adjacent full luxury modern bathroom, with a bath, large walk in shower with full height towel rail, vanity unit, and recessed wc.

SELLER INSIGHT This quite exceptional five-bedroom country home, which is nestled within twentytwo acres of spectacular gardens and grounds, occupies a wonderfully picturesque location just minutes from the historic market town of Abingdon. “The house that we originally purchased once formed part of the Oakley Park Estate,” says the owner. “Many years ago the main house within the estate became a Barnardo’s home and School House, as the name would suggest, was the old school building. It was extended and turned into a family home by the previous owners, but when we came here six years ago we decided to make some rather dramatic changes. That original building was poorly built and quite honestly a bit of a mess so we took it down, rebuilt it using a beautiful oak frame and created a really stunning home, much more befitting of this gorgeous setting.”

“The house is incredibly spacious and bright, and it’s very much a modern home designed for modern living, but I’d like to think that the interior design has an almost timeless quality. We wanted to show as much of the oak frame as possible, so that’s now a real feature of a number of rooms both upstairs and down, and although we’ve added very high-end fixtures and fittings, a beautiful bespoke kitchen and stylish bathrooms, in terms of design they all have modern twist on the country theme. One of the things I love is the way the rooms flow so beautifully, particularly in the oak-framed section, which although divided into separate rooms, also has a very open feel.

We’ve actually left the top section completely open so you can stand at the top of the stairs and see right the way through the beautiful A-frame all the way to a window at the far end, which overlooks the tops of the trees.”

“The grounds that surround the property are really quite breathtaking and the amount of land and the privacy that it affords us was definitely one of the biggest selling points when we initially came across School House,” continues the owner. “We’ll spend summer days out on the deck eating and relaxing, or entertaining in our gorgeous oak-framed pavilion. There are vast open lawns and acres of woodland where we can take the dogs for long walks, and we’ve created a huge vegetable garden where we can grow our own food. It’s a real slice of paradise where we’ve been able to do exactly as we’ve pleased and it’s afforded us the most wonderful quality of life.”

Favourite room: “I absolutely love the kitchen. It’s formed from a number of smaller rooms that were knocked into one so it’s an absolutely vast space, and it’s been designed with entertaining in mind. We’ve added two islands, one for cooking and food prep and the other for us or our guests to sit at, we have room for a twelve-seater dining table and space left over – which usually becomes a dance floor if we’re having a party. It’s a fantastic room and the overall design is absolutely stunning.”

“At home we feel tucked away in our own little world, and it’s a place where we’ve been able to enjoy utter peace and privacy. In fact it’s often hard to believe that we can hop in the car and be in Abingdon in ten minutes or Oxford in fifteen.”

“This is a large house, but one with a really homely feel and we’ve added technology such as underfloor heating, which is powered by the ground source heat pump. There are Sonos speakers in a number of rooms and we had a Control 4 home automation system installed, all of which combine to enhance the overall living experience.”

“It’s the space that we have here, both inside and out that I’m going to miss most when we leave,” says the owner. “I’ll also miss the overall feel of the house; it’s a joy to live in and with all the mod cons I’ve always felt very spoilt.”* * These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

FIRST FLOOR A staircase from the inner hall to the far end of the west wing leads to the present owners’ first-floor gymnasium, although this could potentially become a fifth bedroom, reception room or child’s study depending on a buyers’ personal requirements. The integral attached triple garage has potential to accommodate the gymnasium if this were the case, or offer the further potential of conversion to accommodation. (subject to planning and building regulations being sought) From the study a wide staircase with glass sides gives access to the bridge leading back across the entrance hallway into the main body of the property. This part of the house has a more contemporary design and feel and offers a principal bedroom suite with vaulted ceiling and bifold doors, featuring dressing room designed and handmade by Ewan House of Cirencester, and separate en-suite with double shower, double heated towel rails, vanity units, and wc. All rooms having access to the first floor balcony which runs the whole length of the rear of the property overlooking the formal gardens, paddocks and pasture land, with the woodlands in the distance to the north. There is a further double guest suite with shower room, with heated towel rail, vanity unit, and wc. Also, with access to the balcony.

OUTSIDE Mature and semi-mature woodlands of 13.5 acres complete the Northern boundary of School House with a further 7 acres of pasture and paddock wrapping around the north and eastern sides of the property with the benefit of the early morning sunrises and afternoon sun. The stables are located behind the northern side of the house, currently having three stables, workshop, store and woodstore. There is a separate double-gated vehicular entrance suitable for a large horse lorry. A vegetable garden and poly tunnel with soft fruits and raised beds can be found behind the stables. The house is approached through the impressive lime tree avenue to a gravelled turning area to the front.

The property also features a deck with raised entertainment space with hot tub and gazebo, with a further patio area with oak framed pavilion over and pizza oven. This property would suit an equestrian buyer who wishes to keep horses at home, although the facilities could be utilised for many different purposes (subject to seeking all consents, and planning). There are many walks and riding opportunities available on the adjacent heath, accessible directly from the property. If a very special rural private setting is what you are looking for, together with benefits of a truly impressive future proofed home with integrated modern technologies and efficient heating system, this property must be seriously considered.

Proceed through the main entrance to Oakley Park to the five bar gate at the top of the drive, leading through to a most impressive avenue of mature lime trees, which form the western boundary to the property. School House can be found through wooden gates to the right hand side, opening up into the gravelled, exceptionally spacious driveway to the front of the house.

HISTORY Oakley Park - Frilford Heath The main house in Oakley Park was built in an early Georgian style and was the home of Sir Francis and Lady Gore-Browne whose son Stewart was the subject of a book called the “The Africa House”, about an English eccentric who built a replica English country house in Africa in the early twentieth century. Oakley Park transformed into a maternity hospital and later during the war a Barnardos home, and in the late 1960s was sympathetically converted into separate apartments. This is how it remains today.

Frilford Heath is one of the most well-respected areas to live in South Oxfordshire, with Oxford city centre & station just 7.1 miles away or an 18-minute car journey.

It’s a beautiful, rural area but also very well connected with excellent transport links, which is why Frilford Heath is so sought after as a place to live.

You’re a stone’s throw from one of the country’s most prestigious golf clubs, having three, 18 hole championship courses, and the shops and amenities of Abingdon, including a Waitrose, are just 4 miles away. The Westgate shopping mall in central Oxford offers all national brands, and restaurants, with Bicester Village just 25 mins drive by car. The local public hostelry “The Doghouse” taking its name from the local hunt historically keeping their hounds there and is within walking distance and does a fantastic Sunday lunch. It also has bedroom accommodation if large family gatherings may be planned.

Distances to Oxford by road 9.1 miles / 6 mins via A420.

London by road 67.8 miles / 1h 28 mins via M40 & A40 Reading by road 35.3 miles / 43 mins via A34 & M4 Swindon by road 23.5 miles / 35 mins via A420 Heathrow Airport is 55.4 miles / 59 mins via M40.

Birmingham Airport is 70. 8 miles / 1 hr 12 mins via M40.

Oxfordshire State Primary Schools Appleton C of E Primary School Dry Sandford Primary School Marcham Primary School C of E Oxfordshire Independent Schools Cothill Manor School Abingdon Cokethorpe Chandlings Manor Preparatory School Abingdon Preparatory School St Hugh’s School Oxfordshire State Secondary Schools Larkmead Secondary School, Abingdon Fitzharry’s Secondary School, Abingdon John Mason Secondary School, Abingdon Europa School Culham Multilingual School

In addition, you can enjoy some lovely country walks across Frilford Heath without having to get in your car.

Just down the road, Millets Farm Centre has a range of boutique craft shops, a café/restaurant and a fantastic delicatessen, butchers and farm shop.

Oxfordshire Independent Senior Schools including: Abingdon Boys School St Helen & St Katherine Our Lady’s Convent Radley, St Edwards Magdalen College School The Dragon School.

Frilford Heath offers easy access to the motorway networks via A34, M40 and M4.

Heathrow Airport is 55.4 miles / 59 mins via M40.

Birmingham Airport is 70. 8 miles / 1 hr 12 mins via M40.

Nearest stations are Oxford Station 18.1 miles and 13 minutes by car via A420 Then 65 minutes to London Paddington or Marylebone by train. Over 200 trains daily.

Didcot Parkway 10.1 miles and 16 minutes by car via A34 Then 37 minutes to London Paddington by train. Over 120 trains daily

LOCATION

INFORMATION Three phase electricity supply for house and ground source heat pump. Annual costing approx. £1000 to £1500.

Water on mains supply but not metered.

Mains drainage

Tenure Freehold

Gigaclear private fibre broadband with 1Gb - £80 pm.

Phone additional £130 per annum but through voip system.

No boiler.

Cat 6 ethernet wiring.

Control 4 system Sonos system with integrated speakers in kitchen, dining, gym, principal bedroom suite and hot tub.

CCTV Integrated system video, Security Alarm Lutron lighting system.

Viewing Arrangements Strictly via the vendors sole agents - Fine & Country Oxford on 01865 953244 / 07789 275716

Oakley Park Management Company Ltd communal charges £600 p/a (surplus funds approx. £15,000 to £20,000.) but works pending.

There are restrictive covenants which need to be considered.

Not in Conservation area but within Green Belt.

The Title is made up of multiple separate titles, please check with your solicitor.

Registered in England and Wales. Registration number 09929046 F & C (Midlands) Limited,1 Regent Street, Rugby CV21 2PE copyright © 2021 Fine & Country Ltd.

Local Authority Vale of the White Horse District Council.

Website For more information visit www.fineandcountry. com/uk/oxford Opening Hours Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 5.30 pm Saturday 9.00 am - 4.30 pm Sunday By appointment AGENTS NOTES All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given and that they are in working order.

Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 24.02.2021

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