4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale

Retaining the exceptional art deco styling of its 1936 construction, it’s the largest and most impressive of seven residences created from the Cotswold stone waterworks 15 years ago, and was originally the home of the developer.

Fusing its industrial heritage with super-cool contemporary style, 5 Riverbank Studios is an exceptional home radiating that oh-so-enticing  je ne sais quoi.

Quirky design defines this fabulous house with its abundance of conversation-provoking details - a duo of 15ft Crittal-style windows spanning the depth of two storeys and capturing the rural views and oodles of natural light, a wonderful split-level open-plan living/kitchen area, a balcony overlooking the sunny courtyard garden, and underground car parking. The ceilings are high, there’s superfast Wifi and electric underfloor heating throughout.

The current owners enthused: “We like different, and love art deco. The build itself was very ‘Grand Designs’ and had an excellent finish throughout.”

And then there’s the dreamy location, tucked away at the end of a long, private driveway, next to the river and surrounded by picturesque Cotswold countryside – this peaceful seclusion makes for an idyllic hideaway that would be perfect for weekenders and as a holiday retreat. Cloistered it may be, but the A40 is two minutes’ away – Londoners can pile the kids, dogs and weekend bags into the car and be revelling in all the tranquil pleasures of this Cotswold bolthole in just over an hour.

Add in the proximity to the Ofsted-rated ‘good’ primary school and a super village shop a mile away in Minster Lovell plus countryside rambles to some excellent family and dog-friendly pubs, and 5 Riverbank Studios is an out-and-out winner! Let’s tell you more . . .

Country living in dazzling style

From the word go, 5 Riverbank Studios celebrates its difference. A private quarter-of-a-mile drive culminates at the former waterworks building.  Number 5 overlooks the communal lawn and a meadow that’s studded with wildflowers in the summer.

Double doors in the original art deco archway open into the wide ground floor hallway and then into a useful utility room, family bathroom and three of the bedrooms. Echoing the rest of the house, everything is beautifully presented and the industrial heritage shines through.

In contemporary mode, the kitchen and living area are on the first floor while the bedrooms occupy the two lower floors and, below them, and there’s a basement room that’s ideal for storage.

Two of the generously-sized bedrooms have their own individual luxury shower rooms, while the third bedroom is served by a separate bathroom with freestanding bath tub. The current owners use one of the en-suite bedrooms as an office which, when the sliding glass doors to the double-height hallway are open, creates a free-flow space, flooded with light via the huge pair of windows. In keeping with the airy ambience and edgy feel, the open-tread staircase with glass bannisters rises to the first floor while a separate staircase accesses the lower floor.

On the lower ground floor, the principal bedroom suite is a relaxing haven.  As well as a lovely big bedroom, this tranquil retreat has an en-suite bathroom with freestanding bathtub, separate shower and twin washbasins plus a fabulous bespoke dressing room fitted out with enough clothes rails, shelving, and drawers to satisfy any ardent fashionista!

Returning to the first floor, the living area extends to 37x20ft and is an open-plan split-level sweep of contemporary design enjoying the unlimited light cast by the duo of 15ft windows it overlooks via a glass-panelled mezzanine.

The kitchen is fitted with cream units with granite worktops and Rako wall lights echo the pared-back art deco feel. Integral Siemens appliances include oven, induction hob, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, compact oven/microwave, extractor hood and even a coffee machine. You can prep, cook and chat while guests enjoy aperitifs in the living area, before gathering around the table in the raised dining area. A private balcony is accessed via French doors from here and it’s a great place to sip a coffee on a summer’s morning.

Go outdoors

Enclosed by high rendered walls, the 22ft-square gravelled courtyard garden is secluded, secure and sheltered. A bistro set, loungers, fire pit and barbecue will make the most of this suntrap, while gardeners have the scope to add potted shrubs or raised vegetable beds to this blank canvas.

The house has secure tandem parking for two cars in the underground car park and further space for visitors’ vehicles to the front of the building.

Round and about

One of the nicest facets of 5 Riverbank Studios is that, although nestled in the countryside, it is within a short drive or walk of everything you could ever need.

There’s a well-stocked Spar store in the nearest village, Minster Lovell (one mile), and Waitrose, a freshly revamped Sainsbury’s and Lidl supermarkets in the market town of Witney, 3.5 miles away.  A cinema, leisure centre with pool, a buzzing high street with a mix of brands and independent boutiques, excellent eateries and coffee shops can be found here too.

You’re just a few miles from picturesque Burford, ‘the gateway to the Cotswolds’, and all the outdoor pursuits of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – walking, cycling, horse-riding, fishing, sailing and golf. Membership of Burford Golf Club is particularly sought-after.

The location of 5 Riverbank Studios is ideal for those looking for a countryside walk with refreshment at the end of it – you can follow a footpath straight from the house to The Three Horseshoes (formerly The Maytime) at Asthall in one direction or to The Horse & Radish at Minster Lovell in the other. Both are highly rated for their food and drink, as are The Swan at Swinbrook and The Lamb at Crawley.

The nearest primary school is St Kenelm’s at Minster Lovell, Ofsted-rated ‘good’, and there’s a choice of secondary schools in Burford, Witney and Carterton, all rated ‘good’. Private schools abound and include Cokethorpe, The King’s School, Hatherop Castle, St Hugh’s, Windrush Valley School and Rendcombe College.

Enjoy superb shopping and a thriving café culture within the elegant confines of the Burford Garden Company, or a day out at the wonderful Cotswold Wildlife Park or nearby Brize Norton’s very own animal attraction - Crocodiles of the World, the UK’s only crocodile zoo. Kilkenny Lane country park in Carterton is a great place for children to let off steam at the huge adventure playground and there’s also an indoor trampoline park next to the leisure centre.

There’s swift access to the A40/M40 for journeys to Oxford, London and Cheltenham and mainline trains from Charlbury or Hanborough to London Paddington in just over an hour.

THE FINER DETAILS

Tenure: Share of Freehold

EPC:  E

Square Footage:  2055 square feet / 190.9 square metres

Distances:        London.            73.9 miles
Heathrow         59 miles
Oxford              20 miles
Burford             3.5 miles
Witney             3.5 miles

Services:          Electricity, water, superfast WifI

Trains to London Paddington from Charlbury, Long Hanborough

Trains to London Marylebone from Oxford Parkway