The Old House is a beautifully presented and well appointed country home which occupies a private position in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with splendid rural views.

The house has a wonderful balance of charming features including exposed timbers and inglenook fireplaces in the older part of the house, along with spacious character and natural light in the more recent additions. The property has benefitted from an extensive refurbishment and renovation in 2021-22 including reglazing, replacement roofing and updating to kitchen and living spaces.

The accommodation flows effortlessly across two floors and is well laid out for entertaining and family living. There is a mix of formal entertaining rooms and family living space. The John Lewis of Hungerford kitchen was fitted in 2022 and opens into a dining and separate cocktail area each space enjoying bi folding doors on to the south-facing terrace.

The principal bedroom suite with dressing area has a glass balcony enjoying views across the gardens and a paddock, as well as a leisure room off, currently utilised as a gym with separate access. There are four further bedrooms, all with fine views and three further bathrooms.

GARDENS AND LAND
The property is approached by way of a private road leading from Brimmers Road to The Old House and one other property. Double electric gates open to a private driveway leading though the landscaped grounds up to the main house with a split to the equestrian facilities and outbuildings.

There are mature landscaped gardens peppered with a mixture of distinctive mature trees including copper beech, mulberry, oak and many fruit trees. There are various sitting areas with wonderful views, lawns, a productive orchard and vegetable cages. Much of the planted areas benefit from irrigation and are designed to be low maintenance.

There are two barns extending to over 3,000 square feet arranged in a courtyard. They are suitable for a range of uses including equestrian, office space, spacious workshops, storage or secure garaging.

The property has excellent equestrian facilities including stabling, three individual paddocks with post and rail fencing, a 24m x 44m partially lit manège with a sand and fibre surface which has been recently refurbished and direct access on to the bridleway network.

The land extends to about 6.24 acres attracting a variety of wildlife and includes a private copse and wild meadow walk around the perimeter of the property.

SITUATION
The Old House occupies a private and rural position while being less than one mile from the charming town of Princes Risborough, close to the Hampden and Chequers Estates. The property is well located to take full advantage of the beautiful Chilterns countryside, providing a wealth of opportunities for walking, riding and cycling.

The popular market town of Princes Risborough has an excellent range of shops, cafes, doctors, dentists and a M&S supermarket. There is a mainline train service to London Marylebone providing a fast and frequent service (from about 31 minutes). The M40 motorway (J4 and J5) gives easy access to London and the M25 and M40 motorways and Heathrow International Airport are within 29 miles.

The historic market town of Thame also provides a further range of shops and amenities. Sporting facilities nearby include Ellesborough and Princes Risborough golf clubs, The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, as well as several tennis clubs within easy reach.

Equestrian activities are well supported locally, including specialist facilities at Widmer Equestrian Centre and Attington Stud amongst others, and local pony club and riding club activities.

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre has a dynamic schedule of West End productions, comedians and childrens shows. The Garsington Opera is about 9 miles away hosting events throughout the summer.

Buckinghamshire is renowned for its choice and standard of schooling, both within the state and private sector, as the county is one of the last to maintain the traditional grammar school system. These include the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe and Aylesbury Grammar School for boys as well as Wycombe High School and Aylesbury High School for girls. Nearby preparatory schools include The Griffin, The Beacon, Gateway School, Pipers Corner, Godstowe Preparatory and Ashfold School. Pipers Corner and Wycombe Abbey offer secondary independent education in addition to the excellent choice offered by the Oxford schools which are accessible via the direct train service. Princes Risborough has a number of nursery and primary schools in addition to a secondary school.

HISTORY
The property dates from the 17th century with later additions. The oldest part of the house was built of local brick and flint on a chalk base between 1600 and 1640 and was owned from 1830 by Merton College, Oxford. Originally three thatched farm cottages, the College converted the cottages into one house after recognising the exceptional beauty of the location. The Old House was sold by the College at auction in 1945.

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