P& S HOME
Autumn/Winter 2024
Welcome to the latest edition of P& S HOME
by Penny & Sinclair
We hope you enjoy our Autumn/Winter 2024 edition of P&S Home. We are pleased to share a selection of our properties available to buy, rent or short-let from our four Oxfordshire offices. This edition includes some fantastic editorials; Martin Waller’s exploration of travel-inspired design in the home and a selection of excellent recipes featured in the cookbook, ‘Simple Suppers’, by renowned chef Rick Stein.
Penny & Sinclair have experienced a strong start to the autumn market, as buyers continue to be drawn to Oxfordshire’s vibrant city, lively market towns and surrounding charming villages. We are predicting a busy winter market with positivity reported in the media as mortgage rates become more competitive and buyer confidence continues to grow.
As an independent estate agent, we can offer a bespoke marketing package which is tailor-made for each client and we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and exceptional sales, lettings and short-let departments across our four Oxfordshire offices.
We have high demand for properties in both the sales and lettings market and would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about how Penny & Sinclair can help with your property. We look forward to hearing from you.
SUMMERTOWN
Mayfield House 256 Banbury Road Summertown Oxford OX2 7DE
Sales: 01865 318013 sales@ pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Lettings: 01865 318018 lettings@ pennyandsinclair.co.uk
OXFORD CITY 1-4 The Plain St Clements Oxford OX4 1AS
Sales: 01865 297555 city.sales@ pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Lettings: 01865 297500 city.lettings@ pennyandsinclair.co.uk
BURFORD 97 High Street
Burford
Oxfordshire OX18 4QA
Sales: 01993 220555 burford.sales@ pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Lettings: 01993 220888 burford.lettings@ pennyandsinclair.co.uk
HENLEY-ON-THAMES 44 Hart Street Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire RG9 2AU
Sales: 01491 739000 henley.sales@ pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Lettings: 01491 739222 henley.lettings@ pennyandsinclair.co.uk
SHORT LETS DEPARTMENT 1-4 The Plain St Clements Oxford OX4 1AS
Tel: 01865 297525 shortlets@ pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Property Management: 01865 297535 property@pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Published by TBC Publishing Limited, Telephone: 01223 874483. ©TBC Publishing 2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction is forbidden except by express permission of the Publishers. The content of this magazine is believed to be correct but its accuracy is not guaranteed and it does not form part of any offer or contract. TBC Publishing Limited cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors.
Summertown Office
Penny & Sinclair’s Summertown office is located in North Oxford, in the heart of the main Summertown high street. This is a popular, vibrant shopping and business area and one of Oxford’s most sought-after residential areas. We cover all residential property in Summertown and North Oxford with a thriving, busy and highly experienced sales and lettings team.
We recently sold our house with Penny & Sinclair and had an outstanding experience. Sean and the team at Penny & Sinclair were consistently communicative and responsive throughout the process, ensuring everything ran smoothly. We highly recommend their services for anyone looking to sell their property with confidence.
JAMES PENNY
Director | Summertown Office
james.penny@pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Ms Z Regoczy
Belbroughton Road Central North Oxford
A substantial six bedroom detached Victorian home built in 1927 to a Neo-Georgian design by Christopher Wright. The property offers 3,643 sq ft of accommodation arranged over three floors whilst also providing the potential, subject to the necessary consents, to extend the property as desired. EPC Rating D
6 3
SOLD | GUIDE PRICE £3,500,000
Leckford Road Central North Oxford
Inspired Interiors
Travel-inspired design: how travel can act as a voracious source of inspiration for your home.
By Martin Waller, Founder of global design house Andrew Martin
As the saying goes, travel broadens the mind. Gliding down the Amazon River in a carved canoe will stretch and contort it; escaping to Cambodia to hunt for temples beyond Angkor Wat will ignite something within it. Travel becomes an addiction, a compulsion that when fed, still groans with hunger.
The gift of travel has given us the opportunity to see and absorb cultures and places so different from our own. We can see wonders for ourselves that were previously just thought to be travellers’ tall tales. Exploration gives us access to the world’s magnificent treasure chest of cultural traditions and upon returning home, people often want to share these experiences through the medium of their own sanctuary. After all, a home is a backdrop to life and so its interior design should reflect your personality and the things that you love, including the places you’ve visited.
A design scheme begins with one detail: a particular colour, an interesting texture, or a storied theme which can come from your favourite artefact or maybe a quirky personal item sourced from recent travels. It is from there that the room builds layer upon layer, and you can play with mixing materials like steel with stone, leather with hessian, old with new. It is about telling a story and creating surprise with the array of beautiful shards along the way.
Since the wake of the travel generation, the accessibility to and interest in foreign textiles has boomed. People are opting for fabrics that bring an energy or a feeling and look like they are oneoff, unique piece. Now in British interiors you often see kilim stripes from Asia, mud cloth motifs from West Africa, and embroidery from Mexico.
“The method can involve a whole day of weaving to produce just a single metre of silk. But it was more than just the product that captivated me – it was the serene patience of the weavers, the skill of the dyers, and the ancient tradition of the technique”
Another example is the Berber rug. The style of rug originates from the nomadic Berber tribes of the Atlas Mountains in Northern Africa.
With a rich history and tradition of rug weaving, it is not surprising that their geometric designs and trellis motifs have translated into modern interiors schemes. Berber rugs are defined by their artisanal style, boasting asymmetrical trellis designs in natural wools and dyes in soft cream and charcoal.
The Berber rug embodies the fusion of century-old weaving wisdom, a classic colour scheme and quirky, somehow contemporary patterns, making it a go-to rug for modern interiors.
Beyond the Berber tribes and their timeless creation, it was in Thailand that I first saw the miracle of silk yarn production and the laborious work of ikat weaving.
The method can involve a whole day of weaving to produce just a single metre of silk. But it was more than just the product that captivated me – it was the serene patience of the weavers, the skill of the dyers, and the ancient tradition of the technique.
Unique trinkets and objet d’art from far-flung destinations also make up some of our most valuable possessions. The act of collecting items as you explore this world is meditative. Such items become reflective of times and dates, combining to build a store of memories, not just beautiful objects to admire. My collection of ancient Egyptian funeral masks is my favourite find.
“Travel becomes an addiction, a compulsion that when fed, still groans with hunger.”
They serve as a beautiful reminder of our mortality. I also keep a collection of vintage toys from my childhood in my library. Rather than being limited to one style, now people are influenced by the global assortment of design; from the perfect symmetry of the American look, the magic of African tribal artistry, the serenity of Scandinavia, the heritage of French sophistication and the individualism of British décor.
For this reason, I have coined the current decade the kaleidoscope era – a menagerie of objects laden with nostalgia and sentimentality, each with a truly transporting power. Anything goes, and the more unexpected, the better, much like jewellery or cufflinks to an outfit.
www.andrewmartin.co.uk
Images © Andrew Martin, www.andrewmartin.co.uk
Oxford City Office
Penny & Sinclair’s Oxford City office is located just over Magdalen Bridge and is within easy reach of the Cowley Road, city centre and St. Clements. We deal with all residential property in the city and surrounding villages from studio apartments to large detached houses. With over 16 property experts based in this location we are able to offer clients a full range of property related advice that covers sales, lettings, short lets and property management.
I just wanted to thank you for all your help during the process of selling my mother’s house. As I think you appreciated it was an extremely stressful time for Kirsten and I, and also for my mother. It was so reassuring to feel your secure grasp of the situation. Your friendliness, professionalism and efficiency made the whole process so much easier, and we are all very happy with the outcome.
Mrs K Barrington
OLIVER HOPE MARLA ANAEA Director | Oxford City Office oliver.hope@pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Hill Top Road East Oxford
A well proportioned and well presented four bedroom bay fronted Victorian terraced home situated on the sought after Hill Top Road. The light and airy accommodation extends to c. 1,681 sq ft offering a blend of period charm and modern living. EPC Rating D 4 2 FOR SALE | OIEO £1,000,000
St Aldates Central Oxford
A wonderful Grade II Listed townhouse arranged over four floors, including a shop on the ground floor. Extending to c. 1,967 sq ft, it is located opposite Christ Church College and its magnificent meadows and Botanic gardens, providing exceptional views. EPC Rating TBC 3 2 FOR SALE | GUIDE PRICE £1,850,000
Crotch Crescent Marston
A stunning four-bedroom family home which offers a large wraparound garden, open plan reception rooms and spacious bedrooms. Conveniently located close to Central Oxford and commuter links. EPC Rating C
A spacious six double bedroom HMO property in an excellent East Oxford location. The property is decorated to an exceptional standard throughout. EPC Rating D
A modern one-bedroom apartment in the heart of oxford city centre. This property benefits from a large living room, one double bedroom and separate kitchen. The Gloucester Green bus station offers services for London, Heathrow & Gatwick. EPC Rating C
A charming and bright two-bedroom ground floor apartment, located on Old High Street in Headington. The property is situated nearby various shops and local amenities, as well as the picturesque Bury Knowle Park. EPC Rating C
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US
P&S REVIEWS
I am so happy that I chose Penny & Sinclair to sell my house in Oxford. They did an amazing job from start to finish. They were efficient, helpful, personable, kind, and knowledgeable about all the stages of selling a home. They handled the sale perfectly, and above all, were really lovely people to deal with. 5 stars!
D Brown for Oxford City Sales
Working with Penny and Sinclair feels as if I’m dealing with a highly efficient (but friendly) machine. As a landlord, I can be reassured that my tenants are looked after, and my interests are protected at the same time. I would not hesitate to recommend Penny and Sinclair.
I Abrahams for Oxford City Lettings
We were recommended Penny and Sinclair by a friend of ours who is an estate agent, as we needed to rent out our house in Oxford. We have been greatly appreciative of the level of professionalism, efficiency, great communication and helpfulness of all of the Penny and Sinclair staff, in particular Chelsea and Rebecca.
They have made the process incredibly straightforward and enjoyable. As this is the first time that we have rented out our house, we have felt in extremely safe hands. They have been very respectful of our much loved home and have found us lovely tenants. Thank you so much.
The Boworths for Summertown Lettings
We recently successfully closed on a house purchase handled by Penny & Sinclair, and had a very positive experience with Erling Lindoe and Robin Spindlow as very professional agents. Erling was our main point of contact and he went above and beyond to be helpful and supportive to us during the process. His experience and honest, pragmatic approach was really nice, and I must say not expected. In particular, sorting out some quotes for needed repairs etc. while we were on holiday was very much appreciated. I highly recommend choosing them, whether on the selling or buying side.
B Champion for Burford Sales
Really happy with the professional service provided by Penny & Sinclair. We cannot recommend Helen enough for finding us our new home.
L Anderson for Burford Lettings
We have Let our house in Henley with Becky’s help for the last few years. I can highly recommend Penny & Sinclair, and the professional and attentive service we have received from Becky over the years. It’s definitely a very personal service and nothing seems to be too much trouble
A Gibbon for Henley-on-Thames Sales
❛Penny & Sinclair have provided an impeccable service - committed, responsive, very efficient, and prepared to go the extra mile to provide a personalised service. I cannot fault any of my interactions with the company. I will have no hesitation in using them in the future.
E. Gillet
Burford Office
Penny & Sinclair’s Burford office is located on the charming Burford High Street. Burford is considered to be the (southern) gateway to the Cotswolds, nestling in the Windrush Valley surrounded by beautiful countryside and yet still within easy reach of Cheltenham and Oxford. We cover all residential property within Burford and The Cotswolds and have vibrant and busy sales, lettings and short let departments based here.
We recently successfully closed on a house purchase handled by Penny & Sinclair, and had a very positive experience with Erling Lindoe and Robin Spindlow as very professional agents. Erling was our main point of contact and he went above and beyond to be helpful and supportive to us during the process. His experience and honest, pragmatic approach was really nice, and I must say not expected. In particular, sorting out some quotes for needed repairs etc. while we were on holiday was very much appreciated. I highly recommend choosing them, whether on the selling or buying side.
ERLING LINDOE
Director | Burford Office erling.lindoe@pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Mr B Champion
A superb Grade II listed period home situated at the top of Burford’s iconic Hill and boastings in excess of 3,000 sq ft, off-road parking and generous gardens. EPC Rating Exempt Listed
2 SSTC | GUIDE PRICE £1,350,000
Burford Oxfordshire
A superb detached family home boasting in excess of 3,400 sq ft of highly versatile living accommodation set on a circa 0.5 acre plot that offers fantastic views over open countryside, highly versatile accommodation, pretty and extensive gardens, outbuildings and a double garage. EPC Rating E 6 5 SSTC | GUIDE PRICE £1,200,000
Wilcote Nr Ramsden
An exquisitely presented fully furnished cottage situated in highly desirable Southrop. This stunning period home has been sympathetically improved and finessed to offer a stylish and contemporary feel throughout. EPC Rating Exempt
Simple Suppers Rick Stein's
R Rick Stein’s Simple Suppers is a joyful collection of stylish, easy recipes for midweek, weekends and every eventuality in between, paired with stories that celebrate the simple things in life.
For Rick ‘simple’ means that no recipe should take more than an hour to prepare (the Fast Suppers chapter is dedicated to recipes that take 30 minutes or less), the list of ingredients should be as short as possible and should (with very few exceptions) be readily available in any supermarket. Rick even has suggestions for some shortcut ingredients that he keeps in his pantry.
Rick Stein’s Simple Suppers is a cookbook full of personality with brilliant recipes accompanied by essays on everything from Rick’s love of salt to the inspiration behind a recipe to what he thinks is the perfect late-night snack. In this book, Rick has distilled a lifetime of knowledge and expertise to create truly simple recipes to cook again and again at home. Whether with his wife Sarah, with friends or his children, Simple Suppers is Rick at his most relaxed.
Extracted from Rick Stein’s Simple Suppers (BBC Books, £28). Photography by James Murphy.
Green Rice with Garlic, Parsley & Mussels Arroz Verde
I love these Spanish paella-type dishes. There’s a similar, but slightly more complicated and expensive, version of this recipe in my book Long Weekends. I remember filming it at a restaurant on the beach in Cádiz. I chose the arroz verde, but the crew went for seafood paella coloured with the extremely bright yellow of fake saffron. The camera pulled away from my demure green and white bowl to reveal everybody else wearing sunglasses while eating.
SERVES 4–5
60ml olive oil
60g shallots, finely chopped
12 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 litre chicken stock
100g flatleaf parsley, leaves chopped
1½ tsp salt
400g short-grain paella rice
500g raw mussels, scrubbed
Juice of ½ lemon
To serve
Aioli (I like the Chovi brand available in supermarkets)
Heat the olive oil in a shallow flame proof casserole dish over a medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic, then fry gently for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the stock, parsley and salt and bring to the boil.
Sprinkle in the rice, stir once, then leave to simmer vigorously over a medium-high heat for 6 minutes. Put the mussels on top and shake the pan briefly so that they sink into the rice slightly. Lower the heat and leave to simmer gently for another 12 minutes.
At the end of this time, almost all the liquid should be absorbed, the mussels opened and the rice will be pitted with small holes. Squeeze over the lemon juice and serve with aioli.
Smoked Haddock Rarebit with Spinach
I may be guilty of having too many smoked fish recipes in this book, but I do think we smoke fish particularly well in the UK. I came up with this recipe when thinking of the sort of dishes that me and my old chums delight in at my pub, The Cornish Arms. It’s simply poached smoked haddock (you could also cook the fish very easily in a microwave), with a rarebit sauce like you would put on bread: cheese, beer, mustard and egg – all served on top of spinach. Lovely. Do go for undyed smoked haddock; the dyed stuff always tastes – well, dyed!
SERVES 2
2 x 120g pieces of undyed smoked haddock fillet
300g spinach, washed
Knob of butter
Salt and black pepper
Rarebit topping
80g strong Cheddar cheese, grated
1 tbsp beer
1 tbsp beaten egg
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Black pepper
Put the smoked haddock fillets, skin-side down, in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, allow the water to bubble momentarily, then turn off the heat and leave the fish in the water to cook for 3–4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix the rarebit ingredients together and smooth the mixture over the haddock fillets. Grill them under a medium-high setting for a few minutes until they’re golden and bubbling.
While the haddock is under the grill, wilt the spinach in a pan, stir in the butter and season with salt and pepper.
Divide the spinach between 2 plates and top with a piece of haddock. If you want some carbs, serve on top of slices of buttered sourdough toast or with new potatoes.
Henley-on-Thames Office
Penny & Sinclair’s Henley-on-Thames office is situated on the beautiful and historic Hart Street, in the centre of Henley-on-Thames. With its riverside location, Henley-on-Thames is a prestigious and thriving market town surrounded by outstanding countryside and picture postcard villages. We deal with all residential property in Henley, Marlow and the surrounding villages - covering sales, lettings and luxury short lets.
James and his team redefine estate agency. We have bought and sold with P&S Henley and have been blown away by their professionalism, honesty, dedication and constant communication. James handles a challenge with patience and ease. I wouldn’t use anyone else. Thank you all for everything.
James Donigan MNAEA MARLA
Director | Henley-on-Thames Office james.donigan@pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Mrs C Jackson-Bailey
A rare and exciting opportunity to purchase adjoining cottages in a superb setting. Totalling five bedrooms, and within glorious gardens, viewing is a must. EPC Rating Exempt
4 FOR SALE | GUIDE PRICE £1,550,000
Highmoor Henley-on-Thames
A stunning period home, with sleek interiors perfectly blending original features with contemporary finishes. Viewing highly recommended. EPC Rating E
|
beautifully presented home, with elegant, light and wellproportioned accommodation, set in a cul-de-sac in the glorious Stonor Valley, and only 2 miles from Henley-on-Thames. EPC Rating C
An elegant Victorian home beautifully finished with excellent living space, and a short walk from the train station. The property has been meticulously finished with light and generous rooms complemented by a charming, south facing garden at the rear. EPC Rating C
The Howe is a magnificent Grade II Listed country house where tradition meets modern luxury. The property dates back to the 12th century and is believed to have been frequented by Winston Churchill. The residence is surrounded by its own gardens, enjoying unspoilt views across the rolling Chilterns. EPC Rating Exempt
A superb riverside home with picturesque views across the River Thames and mooring. Located within one mile of Henley town centre, the property offers generous accommodation measuring in excess of 3,700 sq ft, arranged over three storeys, with off-road parking. EPC Rating E
Sonning
Eye Reading
A stunning riverside townhouse with spectacular views across the River Thames in the centre of Henley. Finished to a high specification throughout with two private balconies, garage and off-road parking. EPC Rating C
AGREED | £4,500 PCM
2
This delightful detached cottage is located in the picturesque hamlet of Sonning Eye. The versatile accommodation comprises; a fantastic kitchen/dining/ family room, dedicated study and three bedrooms serviced by two bathrooms. Plus, an attractive garden and driveway parking. EPC Rating D
This architect designed house offers impressive and versatile accommodation. The property comprises; a spacious kitchen/dining/ family room, reception room with vaulted ceiling, plus west-facing garden with large terrace and off-road parking. EPC Rating Awaiting EPC
A superb double-fronted cottage, located along Henley’s prestigious riverfront. This exceptional property offers spectacular waterside views and comprises; two double bedrooms, two stylish bathrooms, two reception rooms, and an attractive walled courtyard. EPC Rating Exempt
Short Lets Department
Penny & Sinclair’s Short Let Department are based within our well established Oxford City office. There is an ever increasing demand for those seeking short term, self-catering accommodation and a significant number of people use short lets as a more cost effective and convenient solution to hotels. Penny & Sinclair have built and continue to maintain an excellent reputation for hosting and managing some of the finest and well situated short let properties in Oxfordshire. Guests typically include holidaymakers, university academics, film crews, clients in between house moves and professionals with interim work contracts. Our highly experienced Short Let property team specialise in offering expert advice covering everything from preparing your property for the short let market to the booking process and ongoing property management.
I have an annual extended stay in Oxford and have stayed in flats with Penny & Sinclair for two years and the level of service and communication is exceptional, particularly from Lillimai, Amber, and Lisa. Further, the level of care and concern is exceptional. After a long journey, I realized that I’d left my phone on the coach and the staff were so helpful, resulting in me recovering my phone very quickly. I plan to continue working with Penny & Sinclair in the future because they are easy to work with and have exceptional flats in good locations.
Lisa Godwin MARLA
Short Let Manager shortlets@pennyandsinclair.co.uk
Short Let: Home Close, Wolvercote from £1,100 per week
Wellington Street Jericho
A lovely modern, newly refurbished property in the soul of Jericho. This Short Let provides a tranquil and homely feel, with the calmness of the interior and pops of colour. The ground floor includes a downstairs WC, and a bright open plan kitchen/living space. There is a private roof terrace with capacity for dining.
EPC Rating C
SHORT LET | GUIDE PRICE £1,350 PER WEEK
New High Street Headington
This beautiful three-bedroom property located in the Heart of Headington. Refurbished to a high standard, makes for a perfect home and a short stay for families and friends.
designed with spacious living area, kitchen and breakfast bar. Luxury shower room. Fantastic mezzanine bedroom floor. Perfect for romantic short breaks, visiting lecturers, or parents visiting the schools and colleges.
Beautifully
Kazbar St Clements
This 3-bedroom family home combines practicality with comfort. The open-plan kitchen diner receives ample natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows, leading to a low-maintenance back garden. EPC Rating B
A fabulous luxury apartment in the heart of Oxford. Newly furnished, this is a unique penthouse with two lovely terrace areas and views of the city. EPC Rating D
A tastefully decorated four-bedroom modern home, perfect for families or sharers to enjoy a Short Stay in Oxford. Sleeps up to 8 guests. EPC Rating C
Located on the top floor this boutique style apartment is very well equipped with modern appliances throughout and tastefully furnished. EPC Rating C
