the manor houseStanford-in-the-Vale

A MAGICAL PLACE TO CALL HOME

Steeped in centuries of history, there are many factors that make The Manor House a magical place to call home. One of Oxfordshire’s finest country residences, The Manor House enjoys a prominent setting in the idyllic village of Stanford-in-The-Vale, nestled at the foot of the ancient Ridgeway and surrounded by farmland and open countryside.

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a sublimely beautiful piece of history – a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a slower pace of life, surrounded

by Georgian splendour and the idyllic English countryside, then we challenge you not to fall hopelessly in love with The Manor House. You’ll find everything you’d expect from a house with such a rich and diverse history: exposed timber beams, huge Georgian sash windows, 16th Century fireplaces, original 18th Century panelling and oodles of character. This very happy home boasts an effortless charm and has been looked after by the same family for more than two generations. It’s now just waiting for its next chapter to begin. Will you be a part of its onward story?

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A PIECE OF HISTORY

As you would expect from a property of this age, The Manor House has a glorious and fascinating past. There has been a manor at Stanford in the Vale since the 11th Century. The current Manor House dates from the 15th Century and was remodelled in the early 18th Century in a Georgian style. In 1474, Anne Beauchamp, 16th Countess of Warwick, conferred all her estates on her two daughters. Stanford was among those she passed to Anne Neville who later became Queen Consort to King Richard III. It is thought that the neighbouring church of St Denys may have been the site of their wedding as the South Porch, built in the 1470’s, bears the arms of York and Warwick.In a secluded position, just off the pretty Church Green, The Manor House is approached through a discreet entrance with stone pillars

and down a long driveway framed by mature trees. As you approach, the Manor House’s elegant Georgian façade, characterised by large sash windows and elegant proportions, gradually comes into view. Pull up onto the circular driveway and feel the satisfying crunch of gravel under your feet as you approach the front door. Welcome home….

A visceral sense of history permeates throughout this beautiful building which is simply brimming with character and period features. Everywhere you turn there are echoes of the past, from the grand 18th Century staircase to the elegant wood-panelled sitting room, to the impressive formal dining room with its 16th Century fireplace, tapestried walls and exposed timber ceiling beams.

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On the ground floor, there are two large reception rooms, a dining room, kitchen, boot room, laundry and two WCs. Upstairs you’ll find three double bedrooms (2 en-suite), plus a study and family bathroom on the first floor. There are three further spacious doubles and a family bathroom on the second floor. Outside, the gardens and grounds of around 1.66 acres wrap around the house, offering beautiful views from every room.

The Manor House is a comfortable family home that manages at once to be imposing yet welcoming. Although this is a magnificent building, it’s also warm and inviting, and you’ll feel the house enveloping you with its history and charm as soon as you step through the front door.

To your left is the sitting room, gently warmed by a crackling log fire and surrounded by original early 18th Century wooden panelling. High ceilings and huge sash windows in the Georgian style allow in plenty of natural light, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy morning coffee and the papers, or to curl up and watch TV in the evening.

The formal sitting room is ideal for entertaining whatever the season. In the cooler months, the huge fireplace entices you to pour yourself a drink and settle down for a relaxing evening with friends and family, whilst in summer the only place to be after dinner is on the terrace leading off the sitting room, where you can wander in and out with a glass of something cold as the sun sets and the shadows grow long across the lawns.

ELEGANCE AND GRACE

STYLISH ENTERTAINING

The handsome dining room is in the oldest part of the house and has hosted many lively parties over the years. It’s impossible not to be awed by the grandeur and sense of history you feel in this room. You’ll love the exposed timbers on the ceiling and the limestone walls covered in tapestries which create a wonderfully evocative atmosphere. The 16th Century fireplace provides an inviting focal point to the room and we can imagine a fantastic Christmas dinner in here, whileing away the evening with laughter and conversation by candlelight. What memories of your own will you create in this beautiful room?

The boot room is a sunny and spacious space with plenty of room for hanging coats, hats and wellies. It has its own door straight from the garden so muddy boots, dogs and children can be easily dealt with. There’s also a useful second downstairs WC here.

Warmed by the AGA, the cosy farmhouse-style kitchen is the perfect place for casual kitchen suppers. There are a range of built-in Miele appliances including a double oven and dishwasher, as well as space for a large American-style fridge/freezer. A door from the kitchen opens to reveal a huge cellar that could hold an extensive wine collection. Across the hallway is a useful laundry room with a separate sink, space for a washing machine, tumble dryer and plenty of storage.

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AND SO TO BED

Take the beautiful staircase up to the first floor and pause to take in the view from the picture window on the galleried landing. Step into the spectacular master bedroom suite; a light filled, peaceful sanctuary which is a joy to retreat to at the end of a long day. Four large Georgian sash windows offer picturesque views over the beautiful gardens to the church, and it’s a real delight to drink in the changing scenery at different times of the day. There’s a spacious bathroom with a sumptuous tub for luxurious soaks, and a large dressing area with plenty of built-in wardrobes to accommodate all your clothes.

There are three further spacious double bedrooms on the first floor: the Yellow Bedroom has gorgeous views onto the garden through the leaded windows and a beautiful feature fireplace. The bright and cheerful Pink Bedroom with en-suite bathroom is as pretty as a picture, and is simply gorgeous in the afternoon when the sun streams through the windows. The third bedroom on this level is currently used as a home office – a peaceful place to read, work or study. There’s also a family bathroom with bathtub and WC.

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Three further double bedrooms and a family bathroom with shower await on the second floor. Fondly referred to by the current owners as the ‘Eagle’s Nest,’ these would make wonderful children’s rooms where youngsters could enjoy their own hideaway with plenty of space for all their toys, books and games under the eaves.

Words are not enough to describe this very special home. You need to see and feel it for yourself, and we can’t wait to show you around.

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A MAGICAL PLACE TO CALL HOME

The grounds of the Manor House are a wonderful mixture of the formal and the relaxed. Thoughtful landscaping and expert planting by the current owner has created gardens that are beautiful whatever the season, and children will adore exploring the ‘wild garden’ and playing hide and seek in the orchard, whilst you enjoy entertaining guests on the terrace or just taking in the peace and beauty of the setting.

The pretty orchard was conceived and executed by the current owner – its apple trees are covered in pretty blossoms in spring and groan with ripe fruit in the Autumn. A huge maple tree creates a riot of fiery red in Autumn, whilst in May the exterior walls are covered with fragrant wisteria. The carefully curated gardens are stocked with shrubs, herbaceous plants, trees and seasonal flowers. As you take in the astonishing beauty of the gardens and the peace and privacy of the setting, you could be forgiven for forgetting that you are in the heart of the village.

GORGEOUS GARDENS

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Across the driveway, the former coach house has been transformed into a modern and comfortable one-bedroom cottage with spacious open-plan sitting room/kitchen/diner, a double bedroom and modern bathroom suite.

Weekend guests could be comfortably lodged here or it would also make an excellent staff quarters or granny annexe. There are two further large outbuildings including a two storey barn with potential to convert, subject to planning permission, and an oak-framed garage with parking for several cars.

LOCAL LIFE

This idyllic little corner of South Oxfordshire has the schooling, property and amenities that the most discerning of house-hunters are looking for. It’s the sort of quintessential English village that you read about in the tourist guides, with a pretty village green, 12th Century church and rows of charming thatched cottages. There’s a primary school, pre-school, village store with Post Office and a pub – The Horse & Jockey. On a nice day you can stroll to the village shop for the morning papers or enjoy a cuppa in the coffee shop. The location is perfect for straightforward access to London and the West Country via the M4, or by train via Didcot Parkway (journey time to London Paddington 45 minutes).

If all the green gets too much for you, Oxford is half an hour’s drive away where you can indulge in some retail therapy at the new Westgate Centre, take in some of the historic and cultural attractions or enjoy an afternoon by the river.

The village of Stanford in the Vale has a very welcoming community and there are lots of social and community functions throughout the year. There’s a local website run by volunteers which is regularly updated with everything you need to know about local comings and goings.

There are miles of countryside walks to explore and some great destination pubs at the end of them including The Star at Sparsholt, The Blowing Stone at Kingston Lisle and Helen Browning’s Royal Oak at Bishopstone. The recently opened Mollie’s Diner (owned by the Soho House Group) is nearby and is the perfect place to enjoy an American-style breakfast on a Sunday morning.

Nearby Wantage has a Waitrose and Sainsbury’s supermarket and a range of independent and high-street shops and restaurants centred around the historic Market Square.

Education options are fabulous and this area boasts some of the finest schools in the country including Pinewood, St Hugh’s, Radley, Abingdon, Marlborough, Dauntsey’s and Cokethorpe.

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Location Wantage is 5 miles away with supermarkets, shops, restaurants, a cinema and leisure centre. Oxford is approximately 16 miles via the A420.

Stores Stanford in the Vale village store for everyday essentials. There is also a Post Office within the village shop, plus a thriving coffee shop next door.

Supermarkets Waitrose or Sainsbury’s in nearby Wantage

Pubs The Horse & Jockey in Stanford in the Vale, The Star at Sparsholt, The Royal Oak at Bishopstone, The Blowing Stone at Kingston Lisle, The White Horse at Uffington.

Walks Some of the most beautiful countryside in England is right on your doorstep. Try a romp up the ancient Ridgeway to the White Horse at Uffington for spectacular views.

Schools Stanford in the Vale has a village primary school & pre-school. Independent schools nearby include St Hugh’s, Pinewood, Radley, Abingdon, St Helen’s and St Katharine’s, The Manor, Marlborough College, Cokethorpe, Dauntsey’s, St Mary’s Calne, St Francis Pewsey, Rendcombe College.

Transport M4 Junction 15: 16 miles Oxford City Centre: 16 miles London Heathrow: 60 miles Didcot Parkway: 13 miles (trains to London Paddington 45 minutes) Swindon: 15 miles

Freehold Mains electricity (with back-up generator) Oil fired central heating EPC not required

Important Information

Ground Floor PlanSecond Floor Plan

THE FINER DETAILS

Main House: Grade II* 6 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms Entrance Hall Sitting room Drawing room Kitchen Dining Room Boot Room Utility Room Wine Cellar

The Cottage: 1 Bedrooms Bathroom Kitchen Sitting Room

Land & Outbuildings: 2 storey barn with potential for conversion Workshop Garaging Orchard Gardens and grounds approx. 1.66 acres

Approximate Gross Internal Area: Main House: 5,002 sqft / 465m2 Cottage: 551 sqft / 51m2

Barn: 2,225 sqft / 207m2

Outbuilding: 904 sqft / 84m2

Total: 8,682 sqft / 807m2

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Barn Floor Plan

Cottage Plan

First Floor Plan

This floor plan including furniture, fixture measurements and dimensions are approximate and for illustrative purposes only. Boxbrownie.com gives no guarantee, warranty or representation as to the accuracy and layout. All enquiries must be directed to the agent, vendor or party representing this floor plan.

Cellar

Cellar

Outbuilding Plan Manor House Plan

The Manor House, Church Green, Stanford in the Vale, Oxfordshire

A simply sublime country home with a fascinating history...

To view the Manor House call the Stowhill Estates Team on: 01235 751 888 | hello@stowhillestates.com

the manor houseStanford-in-the-Vale