An interesting detached house of over 2,200 sq feet, sitting in an elevated position with a delightful view of the valley and the Norman church. Five ample bedrooms, four receptions, peaceful landscaped gardens, driveway parking plus garage, and offered in great condition throughout with NO CHAIN.

Somerton village offers a rare mix of countryside seclusion and easy access to all amenities, sitting amidst the wonderful rolling countryside of the Cherwell valley. Within a short drive are swift rail and road links to London and Oxford, Birmingham and Banbury. The charming local historic village of Deddington offers various food shops, pubs, a library, health centre, a primary school and a monthly French-type market. The village itself dates back to Saxon times plus it is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and the Church of St James dates back in part to at least 1074. There are many local activities, a number of which revolve around a fine village hall, rebuilt with lottery money in 2008. This features everything from toddler groups to films, evening talks and a Thursday evening bar (which we are told is very popular!). Within a short radius all sorts of other amenities are available, from the renowned Soho Farmhouse private members' club to outstanding local state and private schools. For a village so tucked away it's surprisingly well connected.

Stonecrop is one of a pair of houses built in the 1980s by a local developer. As he kept this house for himself, he sold off the property next door, but kept most of the driveway! The front of the house is completely hidden from the lane outside by a mature hedge. And the facade gives very little clue as to just how large the house behind it is, extending to over 2,200 square feet. Once inside, all the rooms are large and light, with the main living spaces enjoying either access directly out to the terrace and lawn, or overlooking that splendid view.

There is a sloped pathway leading to the front door, making easy access for those with small children/buggies etc. The modern front door nestles under a large open porch. Once inside, dead ahead a bank of cupboards provides welcome storage. On the right, the first of several wash facilities is a neat cloakroom, and a nice touch is the traditional panelling around the walls. Head left down the passage and you arrive at the first of three reception rooms. Currently used as a very useful study, it's a good size. Continue through to the rear hall and another reception sits in a wonderfully elevated position with a window at the rear that runs almost from floor to ceiling, hence the view out across the garden and the wider valley beyond is captivating. As set up today, although this could easily be varied, the room next door is currently used as a large bedroom enjoying that same beautiful view out to the rear. The en-suite to it has been converted to a wet room, complete with walk-in shower.

Back to the landing, at the bottom of the stairs another reception room to the left is currently equipped the cloakroom, but this could easily become a shower room if desired-making a bedroom if needed. Pleasingly the fireplace is still in situ, and to the right of the chimney cupboards are fitted floor-to-ceiling. Next door, the largest of the receptions is bright and roomy. The stone fireplace provides a wonderful focal point. And at the rear a pair of glazed doors opens onto the broad terrace. Now we reach the heart of the house. Open to one another, the kitchen and dining room combine to create a welcoming and light space that also connects perfectly with the terrace and garden beyond. The dining space is a big room by most standards, more than able to accommodate a very large table and chairs, with space left over for dressers etc. And to the rear the kitchen is fitted with units round three sides, a generous run with all manner of fittings including a Bosch dishwasher as well as a high quality gas range cooker and a fridge freezer.

Head back up the stairs, this time all the way to the top. Here there are three further bedrooms. Even the smallest is a great size, well proportioned and interesting, with a tall roof light window that extends down low enough to provide a very pretty view of the gardens and houses opposite. Next door, a larger double sits in the gable end with a tall window at the rear offering the most fantastic view over the valley and gardens. The last of the bedrooms is certainly not the least, a similarly good size double with that same view, but this time fitted with a wide range of wardrobes and store cupboards occupying the whole of one wall. Serving all three is a large bathroom. A separate shower and bath are fitted, and the room is such a great size it accommodates store cupboards, shelves, etc to one corner. While the rear window is frosted, as per the regulations for such things, we can imagine a bath in here with that view must be very pleasant!

Outside, the frontage is gravelled and offers ample parking for three or four cars, along with a garage that, unusually, also has a rear door allowing a car to be pulled out onto a raised paved terrace (washing, maintenance etc). At the rear, another broad terrace sits lower, extending the full width behind the house. Thereafter, a stone retaining wall gently curves and meanders around a beautiful lawn, which extends some distance to the rear. A wide range of pretty flowers and shrubs run down a well-stocked border to the right next to a close board fence. At the rear, the house is nicely separated from the churchyard behind by various hedges. And note, the garden retaining wall continues down the left side, next to which a path continues all the way down to the gate at the rear leading to a footpath. This gives access to the most wonderful walks in all directions across the valley. It's a serene and quiet spot at any time.

Mains water, drainage, electric CH
Cherwell District Council
Council tax band F
£3,260-89 p.a. 2023/24
Freehold