Dickens Farm
5,060 sq ft(470.09 sq m)
Guide price £1,650,000

Sutton-under-BrailesBanbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 5BE

    House
    5,060 sq ft (470.09 sq m)
    5.3 Ac (2.14 Ha)
    5Bedrooms
    2Bathrooms
    3Receptions

    Key features

    • Grade II listed property dating back to mid-18th century
    • Delightful position on the edge of the village
    • Opportunity to modernise, improve and/or convert (subject to consents)
    • The main house incorporates a useful one bedroom flat
    • Range of traditional outbuildings around a central courtyard
    • Partly enclosed gardens
    • Countryside views
    • About 5.3 acres of grazing to the south

    A former gentleman's residence – a cut above the rest.

    About this property

    • HISTORY
      Over the latter half of the 20th century the house has been the home Lady Brooks of the Brooks leather saddle dynasty; Ian Thomas, dressmaker to HRH Queen Elizabeth II; Miss Cynthia “Gem” Hoahing, renowned tennis player from the 1940s and 50s, who competed in several Wimbledon Championships and also at Queens Club.

      DESCRIPTION
      Situated on the edge of the village within a Conservation Area, Dickens Farm enjoys a delightful position with views to the south across its land and undulating countryside beyond.

      This delightful Grade II listed property, dating back to the mid-18th century, is of stone construction under a stone/ slate roof.

      The house enjoys a wealth of period features including open fireplaces, exposed timbers, flagstone floors, parquet wooden flooring, 6-panel internal doors, bay windows, window seats and an elegant principal staircase.

      The entire property offers a unique opportunity for the incoming purchaser to extensively modernise, improve and/ or convert (subject to the relevant consents) to create a glorious home.

      Elegant reception rooms and principal bedrooms benefit from fabulous views and generous ceiling heights, all creating a real feeling of space and light. The main house incorporates Stable Cottage, a one bedroom flat, with its own entrance and staircase. As a result the property offers the versatility to provide staff accommodation, income stream or complete reincorporation into the main house. In addition there is further potential to convert the current attics, which have 2 dormer windows, into additional accommodation (subject to the relevant consents).

      An adjoining three bay covered parking area and workshop/ wood store offers scope to be integrated within the main house to create a larger kitchen/breakfast room.

      Lying to the south-east and with separate access is range of traditional outbuildings positioned around a central courtyard. These include former threshing barn, stabling, tack room, garage and stores. These outbuildings offer scope for conversion into additional accommodation to the main house, income stream, working from home, gym or indoor swimming pool.

      There are delightful partly walled and enclosed gardens to the rear, laid to lawn with herbaceous borders and beds. Mature yew trees. These mature gardens are flanked by wrought iron estate fencing to the south thereby providing an open aspect, ideal for summer entertaining or those looking to immerse themselves in horticulture.

      There is approximately 5.3 acres of grazing to the south which leads down to the Wash Brook and a belt of trees. Separate agricultural access to the north-east corner allows for the land to be used for equine pursuits or traditional farming pursuits.

      In all about 6.02 acres.

      View payable Stamp Duty for this property

    This is such a gem, ideal for someone looking to modernise or stamp their own identity on - and with amazing views.

    Nick RudgeProperty agent

    Local information

    • Sutton-under-Brailes is an attractive village situated on the northern edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Surrounded by rolling countryside with far reaching views, this south Warwickshire village lies close to the borders of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. Laid around an open green, this unspoilt village comprises a wealth of period stone houses and cottages and St.Thomas a Becket's church.
    • The neighbouring villages of Upper and Lower Brailes (approximately 1.3 miles) provide two public houses, hotel, well regarded primary school, butchers, French bakery, paper shop and general stores, fine parish church, garage and golf club. The neighbouring villages of Stourton, Cherington and Whichford provide Whichford Pottery with its own café and The Cotswold Distillery.
    • There is a village shop/post office and primary school in the local villages of Long Compton and Hook Norton.
    • The local market towns of Shipston-on-Stour, Chipping Norton, Moreton-in-Marsh and Banbury provide an excellent range of local amenities and shops, with Oxford (28 miles) and Cheltenham (33 miles) easily accessible. The Cotswolds is well known for its gastro pubs as well as farm shops including Wyatts Farm Shop (5.6 miles) and Daylesford Organic Farm Shop with café and spa (10.2 miles). Soho Farmhouse members club (13 miles).
    • There is a good mix of schooling in the area; secondary education can be found at Chipping Norton, Shipston-on-Stour, King Edward VI (boys) and Shottery Grammar (girls), both Stratford-upon-Avon, whilst there are private schools at Warwick, Bloxham, Tudor Hall (girls) and Kingham Hill. The highly regarded Kitebrook Preparatory school is 8 miles distant. Both Oxford and Cheltenham are renowned for their schooling.
    • There are mainline railway stations at Moreton-in-Marsh (8.2 miles) and Kingham (12 miles) providing regular services to Oxford and London Paddington (from 1hr 34 minutes and 1hr 26 minutes respectively), and Banbury (12.5 miles) with direct services to London Marylebone (from 56 minutes). There is good road access to London and the North via the M40.
    • Local leisure activities include golf at Feldon Valley, Lower Brailes, Tadmarton, Rye Hill and Chipping Norton; racing at Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham and Warwick; theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford and Chipping Norton. The area boasts a great network of walks and rides across the Cotswolds AONB.
    • (Distances and times are approximate).

    Additional information

    • Directions: From Banbury take the A4035 sign posted to Shipston-upon-Stour. Proceed through Swalcliffe and pass turnings for the Sibfords. Descend the long hill into Lower Brailes, passing the village church on the right hand side and then take the left hand turn signposted Sutton-under-Brailes. Follow this road past the Feldon Valley Golf Club and as you enter Sutton-under-Brailes, Dickens Farm is the third property on the left.
    • EPC Exempt