Rustic charm and modern living
A sweeping driveway lined with elegant evergreens and yew trees provides a sense of separation upon approach to Oak Barn, a home itself dating back around 400 years.
Renovated, reconfigured and reimagined for 21st century living, Oak Barn has been elevated from its former farm building origins to serve as an embracing and inviting family home, with enduring appeal.
Works carried out include the addition of a new wing, adding a utility/boot room and ensuite bathroom to the first floor, construction of a three-bay, oak framed garage block and
guttering replaced with Lindab galvanised guttering in 2017.
Plenty of parking is available on the gravel driveway for a minimum of eight cars, with additional parking available within the three-car, oak-framed garage-car port.
Welcome home
Box hedging frames the main entrance to the stone-built home, where wisteria wends its way fragrantly along the walls, and formal box hedging fringes the steps leading up to the main entrance.
The glazed front door invites ample light flow into the entrance hallway, where Cotswold stone floor runs underfoot and throughout the ground floor, warmed by the recently updated (2023) ‘wet’ underfloor heating control system with six independent zones, each electronically actuated and fitted with wireless smart thermostats.
A quirky arrival, offering enticing views out over the garden and up into the beam adorned ceiling of the main living space where an impressive antler chandelier evokes the rural surroundings. Stairs lead up to both the right and left, inviting you to explore the separate bedroom wings.
Wine and dine
Turning right, take the stairs leading down into the dining room, where large windows to two sides allow you to savour the garden views. Spacious and bright, the dining room connects seamlessly to the kitchen, installed by Parlour Farm kitchens, Cirencester and professionally repainted in 2023, where sage green cabinetry offers a profusion of storage, its farmhouse design a harmonious match for the exposed beams and thick stone walls.
Family time
With space for a breakfast table, the kitchen also accommodates an Iroko wood topped central island, brimming with storage, as a Belfast sink sits beneath a characterful window overlooking the garden. Currently accommodating a Range-style cooker, this homely, bright kitchen is a sociable hub, emanating warmth and welcome. Plenty of preparation space can be found on the granite worktops, featuring an integrateddishwasher, integrated microwave and currently housing an array of freestanding appliances including a Falcon range cooker and hood.
Throughout the home, the American white oak windows, doors and architraves serve as a reminder of the high-quality finish of this home.
Practical places
From the kitchen, a door opens into an impressively sized back-kitchen area, where sage green cabinetry provides an abundance of storage, and where there is plumbing and space for a washing machine, tall wine chiller, fridge freezer and tumble dryer. Both boot room, pantry and utility rolled into one practical place, glazed doors provide access out to the driveway at one side, and a sheltered courtyard to the other.
Returning via the dining room, make your way into the homely sitting room, where a high efficiency Jetmaster open fire sits within a handsome stone surround. The original oak timbers are revealed within the cream-coloured walls and high ceiling, blending old with new, whilst a large window frames verdant views out over the manicured garden.
Retreat and read
Stepping down to the left from the front door, discover the library on the left, where an array of fitted shelves and cupboards are available to showcase and store your books and other cherished keepsakes. A peaceful room, with windows looking out over the driveway and beautiful oak carport, lose yourself in a literary classic for an hour or so.
Next door, a handy cloakroom features wash basin and WC, a feature wall adorned in map-wallpaper showing the locale. Just next to the cloakroom lies a quarry tiled porch; an everyday side entrance to Oak Barn, where there is further built-in storage available for coats and shoes. Further storage can be found in the oak cupboards in the hall, and beyond, a peaceful study can be found, overlooking the garden.
And so to bed…
Retracing your steps once more to the entrance hall, ascend the carpeted stairs to the right, arriving at a landing, where the principal suite awaits to the right.
A sophisticated room in which to rest and recharge, the high, pitched ceiling amplifies the light flowing in through a large window framing leafy views out. With built-in storage alongside a walk-through wardrobe with further fitted storage, there is space for all your clothing.
Soak and sleep
Refresh and revive in the ensuite, where a rolltop tub with showerhead attachment is on hand for a soothing soak, accompanied by a wide brimmed, pedestal wash basin, WC and traditional style heated towel radiator.
Coming out of the principal suite, freshen up in the family shower room, tiled in buff tones to the walls and with a marble counter top above the wall mounted wash basin and WC. High quality furnishings feature in each of the three bathrooms and cloakroom at Oak Barn, from such manufacturers as Lefroy-Brooks, Imperial, Burlington, Duravit, Daryl, Laufen and Merlin.
Across the landing, embellished with exposed timbers, a second spacious double bedroom can be found, looking out over the courtyard garden, with a back-drop of mature trees.
From the left-hand staircase, arrive at a second upper landing, where a second elegant shower room awaits opposite.
Turning left at the top of the staircase, a quirky door opens into a third double bedroom, where quaint storage is built into the panelled walls. Leafy views entreat from the window.
Continuing ahead from this bedroom, cross the landing to arrive at a characterful fourth double bedroom, with exposed beams in the walls and sloping ceiling.
Ascend the bespoke solid oak staircase to arrive at bedroom five, a sequestered sanctuary up in the eaves, where there is plenty of space for a double bed beneath the high, vaulted ceiling.
Enchanting garden
Outside, the distinctive 200-year-old oak tree, from which Oak Barn’s name is derived, presides over the manicured, mature and award-winning gardens which extend to approximately three-quarters of an acre and were voted Runner Up in the Daily Telegraph Garden of the Year and Runner Up in the One Show Rear Garden of the Year awards.
Accessed via a maze-like opening in the tall, well-groomed hedge to the front, a gravelled garden room plays host to a log store and shed.
Lovingly cultivated over a quarter of a century, a trellis gate opens to the secret garden, where a labyrinth of gravel walkways and hedge archways take you on a journey of discovery through different patios and seating areas in which to seek out sunshine, shelter and shade. Featured on Love Your Garden and the Yorkshire Tea advertisements, alfresco dining and entertaining is a must at Oak Barn.
Borders brimming with planting provide colour and interest throughout the seasons in this peaceful, private, outdoor oasis.
Out and about
Nestled in the picturesque village of East Hendred, Oak Barn offers a perfect blend of rural tranquillity and convenient accessibility.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Oak Barn is ideally positioned, to the north of the Ridgeway and the Berkshire Downs and with direct access to some of the best walks in the region.
From the doorstep, head out and explore on foot, with the Ridgeway within easy reach, taking you to the Lord Wantage monument nearby. Take a stroll through the nearby villages of West Hendred, Ardington, Lockinge, and Ginge, admiring the old 15th century cruck cottages. The Hendred Estate offers a wealth of footpaths and bridleways, providing endless opportunities to enjoy the stunning countryside, making it a prime spot for walking and dog-friendly adventures.
Dine out at one of the many eateries nearby, including the renowned gastro-pub the Eyston Arms in East Hendred village, known for its welcoming atmosphere and rustic surrounds, and country pub Olivier at the Chequers in nearby Aston Tirrold.
East Hendred itself is a vibrant village, with excellent local amenities, including its two welcoming pubs and a well-stocked shop.
Commuters are ideally situated, with great road links to Harwell and Milton Park, while Didcot Parkway station, just a short drive away, offers direct train services to London Paddington in 40 minutes. For international travel, Heathrow is conveniently just an hour away.
Much more than a home, Oak Barn is unique; a characterful home, whose breathtaking quirks continue out into its award-winning garden, serving as a haven in the sublime surrounds of the Oxfordshire countryside.
N.B. Kindly note that select images used within our promotional content have undergone virtual staging processes, showcasing possible arrangements and aesthetics within the property; however, the actual space might differ from these depictions.
Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the fixtures and fittings mentioned throughout, items included in sale are to be discussed at the time of offering
