Abingdon, Oxfordshire

BRUSHWOOD

Nestled in secluded gardens and woodland yet within easy reach of Oxford and Abingdon, Brushwood is a property that exudes character and charm. Built in 1927 for the headmaster of Dragon School, this grand stone-built home is set in 2 acres of mature and established gardens in the prestigious location of Frilford Heath. A private inner courtyard with a central feature pond, patio and BBQ area enclosed by stone walling make this the perfect place to entertain guests or to simply relax and unwind.

OVERVIEW

This highly individual house has been substantially improved and extended to provide over 4,000 square feet of very flexible family accommodation including five bedrooms, one of which is conveniently located on the ground floor with an ensuite shower room. The kitchen is a sociable place with attractive bay window, log burning stove and window seat, complemented by modern fitted appliances and a central curved island unit with granite worksurfaces. The dining room, which links the original house to the more recent extension, is a grand 21ft in length.

For leisure and relaxation, the property features a luxuriously spacious 35ft double-height lifestyle room with steam room, plus a family room, study, cosy living room with fireplace (cowls to remove), games room and a utility/boot room, offering plenty of flexibility and room for all.

The secluded gardens back onto Tubney Woods and benefit from a well supplying pumped water. A carport, single garage and large driveway provide ample parking for numerous vehicles. The tennis court is waiting to be restored to its former glory or reimagined for another purpose, adding more possibilities to this already versatile & flexible property. Brushwood is a true gem, a luxurious and elegant home that has managed to seamlessly blend the original with the present.

SELLER INSIGHT

Brushwood is a most spacious and charming family home, built in nineteen twenty seven, and set in two acres of grounds, softly fringed by a canopy of mature trees. The present owners Steve and Margarita explain that when they were searching for a new home, fourteen years ago, Brushwood answered all their requirements and they have loved the life it provides.

The location was perfect as at the time, they wished their sons to attend Abingdon School, the prestigious independent school for boys in Abingdon, only three miles away. They also spend much quality time in nearby Oxford. From Brushwood they could enjoy the best of town and country living.

Margarita says the house was in excellent order when they bought it, and perfect for their family; but they have made changes in the garden. They created a secret garden with a tall yew hedge which encloses a giant chess board, and planted apple, pears and plum trees to generally form the garden into a delightful green and restful oasis.

The house is flooded with natural light and has an inviting ambience throughout. Steve loves the quirky features, such as the striking front door with its Hogwarts type key, the garden well and the large three sided attractive and sheltered courtyard. The great luxury of space and comfort in the house has made it possible to entertain family and friends with ease, but has room for you to find somewhere for quiet ‘me time,’ and for two people to work efficiently from home.

The well equipped kitchen has a cosy log burner, and leads directly into the dining room; whilst the lounge with its triple aspect and open fireplace is a perfect all year room for comfort and relaxation. Margarita loves her study which she describes as ‘small but perfect and cosy,’ and where she can open the doors to invite the outside in.

Quite a wow factor is the double height area and its mezzanine which you reach by a spiral staircase. This versatile zone is currently a gym and play room. Brushwood is a home that invites hospitality and Margarita describes the fond memories she has of barbecues held in the large, sheltered courtyard when they would invite their sons’ entire class and their parents. The house is also very much a part of the landscape and from a first floor balcony you can look over the garden and woodland. It is a most serene and captivating scene.

You can walk out of the back gate into the neighbouring woodland which each May is a carpet of bluebells. It is a much loved and appreciated place. Nearby Millets Farm has an excellent shop which stocks locally sourced meat and vegetables, plus high end products, and a good restaurant. It is a short drive to historic Abingdon, with its wide range of shops and leisure activities.

Steve and Margarita are sad to leave Brushwood, the house and woodland, but take away many treasured memories and are certain the new owners will come to love it as they have.*

* These comments are the personal views of the current owners 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.

GROUND FLOOR

The original stone-built house, designed and built for the headmaster of Dragon School, is beautifully appointed and features an impressive front door with a suitably impressive key! This leads into the entrance hall with space for coats and shoes, and attractive staircase. Through the hall to the left is a modern cloakroom, to the right is the family room boasting a fireplace and double aspect windows that offer spectacular views of the sunny south facing and main garden area of the property. A large study with double doors leads out to a raised veranda, providing a perfect spot for relaxing and enjoying the beautiful gardens. This is located under the balcony canopy of the principal double bedroom suite above, offering some shade for summer contemplation or a good read with refreshing drink in hand. The elegant charm and inviting interior with its noticeably higher oak-beamed ceilings is completed by a light yet cosy living room with an attractive feature fireplace and triple aspect windows, with double doors giving access to the inner courtyard.

Leading back through the hallway to the front of the house is the entrance to the kitchen, boasting modern wall and base cabinets, Miele fitted appliances, and granite worksurfaces, with a curved central island unit, a useful larder storage cupboard, and a cupboard housing the newly-fitted oil central heating boiler system (installed with new radiators in September 2022). The square bay window with a seated area to the front of the kitchen is the perfect social space for enjoying the warmth and atmosphere of the nearby log burning stove, while discussing the day’s events while dinner is being prepared.

FIRST FLOOR

First floor (original house)

The first floor of the original property of Brushwood boasts a spacious principal bedroom suite with a balcony overlooking the southern main gardens, providing a private retreat. The suite includes built-in wardrobes, a luxury ensuite shower room with electric underfloor heating and heated towel rail, and a dressing area. The landing leads to a double bedroom with built-in wardrobes and an ensuite with electric underfloor heating and heated towel rail, as well as two further double bedrooms, one with built-in double wardrobes, both sharing a luxury spacious full family bath and shower room with electric underfloor heating and heated towel rail.

NORTHERN WING

Northern wing ground floor

The original house has been substantially extended with careful attention to the exterior materials giving a continuity to the appearance. The new wing is linked seamlessly by an impressive singlestorey dining room 21 ft in length accessed from the kitchen. This room offers double doors and pedestrian door to the rear inner courtyard, continuing the theme of the indoor-outdoor flow of the property. An inner hallway leads from the dining room to the utility/boot room with base and wall units and space for laundry appliances with plumbing and electrical consumer unit. The inner hallway has a pedestrian door providing convenient access to the rear of the property.

This inner hall opens into a most impressive 35-foot open-plan double-height lifestyle room with Velux roof lights and a steam room. A feature spiral staircase leads to the first floor and mezzanine landing. Double doors lead out to the inner courtyard, pond and BBQ area.

The ground floor has a double guest bedroom with built-in wardrobes and an ensuite shower room with electric underfloor heating and heated towel rail. Floor-to-ceiling windows give views of the inner courtyard and pond.

Northern wing first floor

From the central spiral staircase, the mezzanine landing area leads to a fabulous first floor 27ft games/ office room with Velux roof lights.

OUTSIDE

Outside and garden

The gardens are a significant part of this beautiful property and extend to over 2 acres in all. The plot is triangular, with Tubney Woods to the west and White Hart Wood and Upwood Park to the east. Much of the garden is laid to lawns, with mature hedging and trees providing a natural boundary.

A high and dense mature laurel hedge, traditional stone wall and lawn separate the house from the main road. As you enter the property through double wooden gates you will see a large hardstanding driveway area which can easily accommodate numerous vehicles, being more than 300 metres square. This leads to a gravelled oval drive in front of the house, surrounding a grand raised ornamental border edged by a stone wall, providing a drive-in and out feature leading back to the hardstanding driveway. The main driveway continues along the northern side of the property, giving vehicular access to both the single garage and carport.

On your left as you enter the property, the tip of the triangular-shaped plot contains a fully fenced tennis court, well screened from the house by mature laurel hedging and a stone wall and fence. Further land extends beyond the court to make up the tip of the triangular plot.

The main gardens lie to the south side of the house and comprise a large lawned area, mature oaks and sycamores, established hedging and fruit trees including a variety of apples, pears, plum and cherries. The property has a walled patio, summer house, garden shed, a covered quarry tiled terrace and areas for planting and potential vegetable gardens. A central “secret garden” of yew hedging hides a fun patio chess board with super-sized pieces.

The rear garden to the east is bordered by a hedge and fence, and there is open land behind the property with views and access to woodland walks. A raised lawn and garden area contains a covered well supplying pumped water for use in the garden. From here, steps lead down to the rear of the house and the walled inner courtyard, where there is a spacious hard landscaped and gravelled area, with central circular pond, dwarf stone walls and steps leading up to a large patio area with pitched-roof BBQ and log store. An attractive higher stone wall encloses the inner courtyard, making this space a very private entertaining area for alfresco dining with the house itself forming the boundaries to the north, south, and west.

Attached garage and carport

The northern wing of the property includes a single garage with vehicular access from the driveway, and two pedestrian side doors which open into the carport area. The carport’s double doors provide vehicular access to the inner courtyard and side driveway.

Planning permission Note

Planning permission has been granted for a ground floor extension of approximately 475 square feet. This would extend the existing kitchen, connecting to both the current kitchen and living room to make an open-plan kitchen/dining family space with lantern roof, and bifold doors leading out to the inner courtyard and rear garden.

Proposed extension Length 6.38m, width 6.92m, height to eaves - 2.40m. See the Vale of White Horse planning portal for all details and plans and elevations. P22/V2532/PD H.

LOCATION

Frilford Heath is one of the most desirable locations to live in South Oxfordshire, being sought after by those seeking to combine a beautiful, rural location with the benefit of excellent transport links to Oxford. The area has some of the very best schools in the country for boys and girls of all ages. Oxford station is just 6.6 miles away, or a 12-minute car journey via the A420. Abingdon-upon-Thames, one of the oldest market towns in England, is just 5 miles away via the A338 and has a Waitrose and Tesco superstore to cover all your day-to-day shopping requirements. You’re a stone’s throw from one of the country’s most prestigious golf clubs, having three 18-hole championship courses. In addition, Brushwood is located just two minutes’ walk from the main bus route to Oxford, giving freedom to teenagers wanting to get around independently!

If you are needing a high-end shopping experience look no further than the very popular Bicester Village or Westgate shopping mall in central Oxford offering national and international brands, plus Curzon cinema, Junkyard golf, escape room entertainment, and numerous restaurants & cocktail bars.

Weekend country walks are possible without having to get in your car. Walk along woodland paths and explore nature reserves before stopping for lunch at the Merry Miller in Cothill village. Just a few miles down the road is Millets Farm Centre having a range of boutique craft shops, a café/restaurant and a fantastic delicatessen, butchers, farm shop and garden centre as well as children’s animal farm, seasonal maze, and pick your own.

Frilford Heath offers easy access to the motorway networks via A34, A420, M40 and M4.

Nearest stations are:

Oxford Station 6.6 miles, 12 minutes by car via A338 & A420. 65 minutes to London

Paddington or 1 hour 15 mins to Marylebone by train.

Radley Station 7.2 miles, 18 minutes by car. 1 hour to Paddington by train.

Oxford Parkway 10.0 miles, 16 minutes by car via A420. 1 hour 30 mins to Paddington.

Didcot Parkway 10.0 miles, 17 minutes by car via A34, then 45 minutes to London Paddington.

Distances to:

Oxford city centre by road 7.5 miles 14 mins via A338 & A420.

London (Marble Arch) by road 64 miles 1 hour 30 mins via M40 & A40

Reading 40 miles by road 50 mins via A338 A34 M4.

Swindon by road 23 miles 50 mins via A420

Heathrow Airport is 53.8 miles 1 hour via M40

Birmingham Airport is 69 miles 1 hour 19 mins via M40

Oxfordshire State Primary Schools

https://www.locrating.com/the-best-primary-schools-in-Abingdon_Oxfordshire_England.aspx

Oxfordshire’s Independent Junior Schools

Cothill House

The Manor Preparatory School, Abingdon

Cokethorpe

Chandlings Prep School

Abingdon Preparatory School

St Hugh’s School

Christ Church Cathedral School

Oxfordshire State Secondary Schools

Larkmead School, Abingdon

Fitzharrys School, Abingdon

John Mason School, Abingdon

Europa School UK, multilingual school, Culham

UTC Oxfordshire, Harwell

Oxfordshire’s Independent Senior Schools

Abingdon School

St Helen & St Katherine

d’Overbroeck’s Oxford

Our Lady’s Abingdon

St Edward’s School

Headington School

Magdalen College School

Dragon School

Registered in England and Wales. Registration number 09929046

F & C (Midlands) Limited,1 Regent Street, Rugby CV21 2PE

copyright © 2022 Fine & Country Ltd.

INFORMATION

Services & Information

Mains electricity and water supply

Garden well

Oil central heating with new boiler & radiators

Solid fuel log burner

3 fireplaces (capped currently)

Secondary electric underfloor heating Planning approved P22/V2532/PDH

Private sewage septic tank

Tenure Freehold

Council Tax Band G £3430.44 pa.

EPC Rating E

Local Authority Vale of White Horse District Council. 135 Eastern Avenue, Park Drive, Milton OX14 4SB.

Viewing Arrangements Strictly via Fine & Country Oxford 01865 953244

Guy Simmons mobile 077893275716 guy.simmons@fineandcountry.com

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 Open by prior appointment

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 12.04.2022

FINE & COUNTRY

Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and rental of luxury residential property. With offices in over 300 locations, spanning Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia, we combine widespread exposure of the international marketplace with the local expertise and knowledge of carefully selected independent property professionals.

Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive properties require a more compelling, sophisticated and intelligent presentation –leading to a common, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property.

This unique approach to luxury homes marketing delivers high quality, intelligent and creative concepts for property promotion combined with the latest technology and marketing techniques.

We understand moving home is one of the most important decisions you make; your home is both a financial and emotional investment. With Fine & Country you benefit from the local knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of a well trained, educated and courteous team of professionals, working to make the sale or purchase of your property as stress free as possible.

GUY SIMMONS ASSOCIATE PARTNER

Fine & Country

07789 275716

guy.simmons@fineandcountry.com

Guy is a well-established agent in Oxfordshire, having started his career working for a corporate estate agency, he moved onto working for a leading independent agency before becoming a co-owner/Director. Guy has a passion for property and people. A great combination in providing a personal and bespoke service. His experience affords him a reputation for listening to his clients needs and tailoring services to deliver the results they desire from their property journey. A champion of open communication and supportive guidance, Guy’s clients have been loyal to him throughout his career. His drive in joining Fine and Country is to be able to offer the very best local, national and international marketing opportunities to his clients, using the latest digital technologies, whilst applying his personal knowledge and interest in the local communities. Guy lives in South Oxfordshire with his wife Diane, his two sons and two dogs. With a passion for house renovation, the family are no strangers to moving home. A great advocate for the many aspects that Oxfordshire life affords to those moving to the area, he does enjoy travelling but always returns home to this gem of a county.

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