Handsome Victorian rectory with commanding views, six acres, pool and tennis court.
Dating to 1872, The Well House is a wonderful example of a classic Victorian rectory with far reaching views over Cuddesdon towards The Chiltern Hills. It boasts wonderful period characteristics throughout including striking fireplaces, original Victorian encaustic floor tiles, picture and dado rails and detailed cornicing. Tall ceilings, deep single pane sash windows, original shutters and deep skirtings all feature.
All main rooms are situated directly off the dramatic entrance hall, with interconnecting doors, making for a pleasing flow to the ground floor.
The spectacular kitchen was added by the present owners, who commissioned London based Dale Loth Architects to make this lovely Old Rectory work for 21st Century family living. The polished screed floor is practical and striking and brings a warmth to the room. The working end of this fabulous room has book matched contemporary oak cabinetry beneath granite tops. There is a three door Aga, Britannia range oven and five burner hob, integrated dishwasher and full height fridge/freezer. In the living space, connected to the kitchen, full length oak and glazed curving conservatory style windows flank two sets of vast bi-fold doors that open to the garden.
The drawing room is dual aspect with an open fire and original wooden shutters to all sashes. The interconnecting family room, also with an open fire, has bespoke bookshelves and cupboards spanning one wall. Both rooms make the most of morning sun. The dining room has a fireplace (not used), picture and dado rails with a secondary door leading towards the kitchen.
A fully glazed study with bespoke oak desk and bookshelves, overlooks the tiered ponds below. Situated off the rear hall is a large utility/larder, boot room with full height storage cupboards and a cloakroom. The lower ground floor houses a large games room, cellar and boiler room.
From the entrance hall, the staircase rises to a galleried landing. The principal bedroom suite has bespoke cherry wood wardrobes to one wall and oak cabinetry in the en suite shower room. There are three further bedrooms on this floor, all with in-built wardrobes and two bathrooms, both with separate showers. Stairs rise to the second floor where there are two further bedrooms and a shower room. Of these, the principal guest room benefits from wonderful views across the fields to the rear.
The house is double glazed throughout and has underfloor heating in the kitchen/breakfast/living room, utility room and en suite bathroom.
Outside
Approached through tall solid wooden gates, the drive sweeps round to the front of the house which sits centrally within its gardens. Mature trees and herbaceous beds feature throughout with terraces surrounding the house and pool, maximising light at all times of the day. The back of the house and the pool with its terrace have wonderful, far reaching views across the paddock and beyond. The paddock is situated beyond a low stone wall at the end of the garden. There are timber clad stables and a vegetable garden within. At the front of the house is a double timber framed car port with workshop attached. There is also a wooden greenhouse with the tennis court behind.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
"I'd like a lovely Old Rectory, in a few acres, with a view, close to Oxford". 99% of the time an agent would say, "good luck"! Well, today is your lucky day because here it is, and it's a real gem.
Charles Elsmore-WickensProperty agent