If you’re looking for a superb family home which combines a peaceful location with excellent access to shops, facilities, schools and transport links as well as countryside on the doorstep then Gables in Over Norton could be just right!
The house has been recently extended and has undergone a total cosmetic transformation, carried out by the current owner. Considerable flair and style have been put to use to create a light-filled, comfortable and appealing home that would suit a range of buyers, from first-timers, to growing families or downsizers looking for simplified living without compromise. Inside you’ll find versatile living space with an ultra-cool open plan kitchen/diner, a stylish sitting room, study and four bedrooms. And the outside is a real treat too – the beautifully landscaped garden is bursting with mature trees, flowers and shrubs and is south-west facing, enjoying light throughout the day.
The location here is hard to beat: Over Norton is a peaceful village on the outskirts of ‘Chippy’, but it’s definitely not remote. It’s just a mile from Chipping Norton with its shops, restaurants, boutiques and leisure facilities, and a short drive to Soho Farmhouse and Daylesford Farm. And of course, the rolling Oxfordshire countryside is right on your doorstep with miles of footpaths and bridleways to discover.
WELCOME HOME
Built in a traditional Cotswold stone style and covered in climbing roses and wisteria, Gables exudes a warm welcome from the moment you pull onto the private driveway where there’s parking for three cars. A gravelled garden frames the front of the house whilst a rambling apple tree provides shade as you enter the front door and into the inviting entrance hall, from where all the downstairs living spaces lead.
CULINARY DELIGHTS
The natural flow of the space leads you straight to the showstopping kitchen/diner – the beating heart of this fantastic home. Beautifully designed and expertly finished, this is a bright, light and welcoming space perfect for effortless entertaining as well as dealing with the rigours of modern family life.
Vibrant Farrow and Ball blue cabinetry blends seamlessly with crisp white and grey quartz worktops and trendy brushed brass ironware, with copper sink and tap. Warm underfoot thanks to the underfloor heating, this kitchen is equipped to handle the demands of the most discerning amateur cook. There are two Bosch ovens, a Bosch induction hob, integrated full height fridge and full height freezer, Bosch dishwasher and microwave, plus a large pantry cupboard for food storage. Every element has been carefully considered to enhance ease and efficiency.
The centrepiece of this fabulous kitchen is the large central island which is bathed in natural light which floods in from the lantern light above. Family and friends will naturally gather here for convivial evenings, and it’s the perfect spot for a speedy weekday breakfast before school. For evening meals, there’s a dedicated dining space in front of one of two sets of bifold doors that open out onto the terrace. On a warm evening, both sets of doors can be opened fully to bring the outside-in.
Next to the kitchen is a practical utility room housing the boiler and plenty of storage cupboards and offering convenient access to the side of the house – a welcome feature when you’re returning from muddy dog walks. An additional treat is the doggy shower to clean off your four-legged friends in style! A door from the utility room leads into the garage – a useful storage space for garden furniture, bicycles etc.
RELAX IN STYLE
The elegant sitting room at Gables is a peaceful retreat to welcome you at the end of a long day. Decorated in rich jewelled tones of peacock blue and teal green, there’s a decidedly luxurious ambience to this room. A log fire will keep you toasty warm in winter, and it’s lovely and light throughout the year thanks to the large windows at either end.
The ground floor layout lends itself to several versatile options. Currently, the large room at the front of the house is used as a double bedroom, but it could function equally well as a second sitting room, children’s playroom, formal dining room or a teenage ‘den.’
You’ll also discover a peaceful home office downstairs. With a picture window framing the view to the garden, this is a wonderful spot for work or quiet study. And with Gigaclear ultra-fast broadband available, working from home is a breeze (if you can tear yourself away from gazing out at the garden!). A useful downstairs cloakroom with WC completes the picture.
SWEET SLUMBER
The first floor at Gables features three exquisitely designed bedrooms, all accessed from a generous landing space.
The principal bedroom suite was designed by combining two bedrooms together to create a tranquil space with views over the garden from two large windows. There’s a spacious dressing area with built-in wardrobes and a dedicated shower room just next door. If additional bedrooms are desired upstairs, perhaps to suit younger children, this room could be straightforwardly converted back into two separate bedrooms.
The super-luxe guest suite, elegantly decorated in shades of Farrow & Ball with William Morris accent wallpaper is a haven your guests may not want to leave! With its own set of built-in wardrobes and views over the garden, you may even choose this lovely space as your principal bedroom.
The third bedroom on the first floor is also a generous size and enjoys views to the front of the house. There are three good sized storage cupboards on the landing, one of which could be used as an airing cupboard.
The bedrooms are served by a stunning bathroom, which offers a spa-like experience with luxurious slipper bath and invigorating rainfall shower. We adore the combination of crisp, white sanitaryware with mellow green walls and vibrant flooring. It’s a great place to enjoy a long bubbly soak with a book and a glass of something chilled!
A WORLD OF COLOUR
Step outside into a world of colour in the enchanting garden at Gables. This meticulously designed space has been created with style and practicality in mind. South-westerly facing, this lovely enclosed, private garden enjoys sun throughout the day and well into the evening, making it the perfect setting for lively gatherings and peaceful retreats. There’s a large lawn with well-stocked flower and plant borders and two raised vegetable beds for the green-fingered. Sunny terraces are shaded by mature fruit trees, and there’s a BBQ area with firepit for ‘smores’ under the moonlight. There’s plenty of storage in the summerhouse and shed, plus side access to the front of the house.
LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE
Nestled in the quiet village of Over Norton, Gables is a short drive or stroll away from the bustling charm of Chipping Norton, offering a unique experience where the best of both worlds intertwine.
A leisurely walk leads you to the heart of sought-after Chipping Norton, where an array of boutique shops, charming cafes and lively bars and restaurants await. There’s a good selection of more practical shops too, with a Sainsburys and Coop in town and a large ALDI and M&S Foodhall on the outskirts for the weekly food shop.
There’s plenty to do here: ‘Chippy Theatre’ is a well-supported local arts venue in the centre of town, renowned for its traditional Christmas pantomime. A much-anticipated boutique cinema is due to open in late 2023 which will add to the cultural options on offer. The delights of Soho Farmhouse with its restaurants, bars and spa is a fifteen minute drive away, or you could discover the recently opened Bamford health club at Daylesford Farm, just six miles away.
For families, Chipping Norton is hard to beat, with lots going on for children of all ages. The leisure centre has a great range of facilities including a 25m heated indoor pool, sports hall, gym and squash courts. There are plenty of parks and recreational areas to enjoy, and the lido is a popular spot in summer with its outdoor heated pool, shady picnic lawns and café.
Nature lovers and avid explorers will delight in the myriad of picturesque walks that begin on your doorstep. The bucolic Oxfordshire countryside offers endless walks to suit all ages and abilities (many with a decent pub at the end of them!).
Transport links from Chipping Norton are excellent. There are regular bus connections to Oxford, and London is within easy reach by train from Kingham or Charlbury to London Paddington.
Education options abound here, with excellent state provision as well as a good choice of independent options. Chipping Norton School is a mixed secondary school with Academy status and is Ofsted rated ‘Good’. There are two highly regarded primary schools in the town, with Holy Trinity Catholic School offering an ‘Outstanding’ provision. Independent schools nearby include Windrush Valley School, Kitebrook, Kingham Hill, Hatherop Castle and Cokethorpe.
FINER DETAILS:
Square Footage: 1845 sq ft / 171.24 sq mtr
Central Heating: Oil
Tenure: Freehold
Distances:
Chipping Norton – 1 mile
Oxford – 22.2 miles
London – 79.3 miles
Heathrow – 66.8 miles
Soho Farmhouse – 7.8 miles
EPC: D
Local Authority: West Oxfordshire District Council | www.westoxon.gov.uk | 01993 861 000