Thame Road, Blackthorn, OX25

A substantial and attractive Victorian house of c. 2,700 sq ft with excellent proportions and high ceilings throughout, set in a lovely quiet village just a few minutes' drive from Bicester. 3 elegant receptions (1 with vaulted ceiling), great natural light through new sash windows, detached double garage and secluded gardens. ***VR tour***

Blackthorn is a historic village with ancient roots, situated close to the Oxfordshire/ Buckinghamshire borders. It is quiet and peaceful, surrounded by farmland, but at the same time the community is vibrant if you wish to be part of that. The village social committee organises various events at the village hall throughout the year including Quiz nights, summer BBQ, Christmas Carols and other ad-hoc fun-gatherings for the community. Approximately 3 miles from Bicester and the designer outlet at Bicester village, the M40, A41, A43 (leading to the M1) and A34 are all nearby plus Bicester North offers a great commuter service to London Marylebone in around 45 minutes. Bicester itself is an historic market town with a wide range of shops, together with cafes, pubs, numerous restaurants, weekly markets and a new Sainsburys supermarket with cinema complex.

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Brightside is a lovely family house combining all the ideals of a village property. Modern, spacious living in a character shell, and a charming village setting with the easiest of access to a thriving town with swift road and rail access to all points. Since purchasing, our clients have carried out a campaign of modernisation and extension comprehensive enough that today there really is nothing to do other than decorate to your taste, sit back and enjoy. Even the windows have been replaced, in hardwood, at great cost, and include chain sash cords, an almost unheard-of level of detail. The layout lends itself incredibly well to family life, with large receptions ranged around a kitchen that also features a utility and even a walk-in pantry! And upstairs all four bedrooms provide excellent space with a lovely outlook in all directions, In all, it's a very complete proposition.

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At the front, a modern conservatory-style porch accesses the house. The main door opens into an entrance hall that is light and large, with an elegant stair rising ahead and underneath it is a large cupboard. To the right the first of three large receptions is double aspect hence it is always flooded with light, it also includes a wood burner in the fireplace. As befits a Victorian house, the picture rail is still in place, and this feature is pleasingly still evident in most rooms. At the other side of the hall is another reception, almost the mirror image and almost identical in size at around 15 ft square, hence extremely well proportioned. Through a door to the rear, the kitchen is wonderful. Modern and stylish, it is fitted with granite work surfaces that provide a generous amount of preparation space around three sides, with a central island adding to this. Integrated appliances include a dishwasher, and there is also a professional range. Various cupboards provide masses of storage, too. Also note from here a second, servants' stair, leads off to the first floor. The utility next door includes plumbing for a washing machine as well as providing yet more storage - nb next door to it is a shower room, ideal for use with the rear reception if an annex is required. And as if the utility space wasn't enough, the pantry to the right of the kitchen provides space for a fridge, freezer etc with a myriad of shelves. From the kitchen a lobby on the left leads to a cloak room and also out to the garden. The real star of the downstairs space has to be the final reception. Walking through the rear hall, a doorway opens into an expanse of space and light. Open to the ridge height, this room oozes positivity and warmth. Glazed doors to the left, a window to the rear, Veluxes above and a cathedral window in the top of the end wall all combine to create a delightful aura. Our clients current work from here, but it is equally ideal as a signature living space that of course also overlooks the garden.

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Upstairs there are four bedrooms. The main suite mirrors the room below it, hence a significant space with more than enough room for a comprehensive suite of furniture, and in addition a large double wardrobe is already fitted. Its en-suite is equally impressive, with a large shower and a modern suite. Across the hall another large double features yet more wardrobe storage in addition to ample space for a King size bed with room to spare. At the rear a third large double continues the theme, immensely practical and attractive. Such are the dimensions of all the rooms in this house that the smallest bedroom initially looks rather compact - it isn't! At just under 12 ft by 10, it is a genuine double. Serving all bedrooms, the bathroom is delightfully neutral, with a thermostatic shower over a modern bath.

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Outside to the front a pair of five bar gates to the road side open onto a block-paved, broad hardstanding offering ample space for a number of vehicles. To the left a path leads through a small gate right up to the front door, and there are various borders with a wide range of lovely flowering plants and shrubs. It feels very secluded as the frontage is separated from the road by mature hedges. The garage was built with sensitivity to the Victorian style of the house, right down to the ridge tiles, and has been unusually well constructed with a pitched roof above which is a large double-width space. This offers a wide range of options from home working to significant storage, and it is also very secure with a pair of electric roller doors. Set central to the plot, there is access to the rear garden on both sides. To the left of the house a long lawn runs down to a close board fence past the kitchen lobby access, and continues round to the right into the main space. Here there is a pleasant lawned area flanked by terrace against the house, and several mature trees and flowering plants soften the borders. It is a great sun trap, immensely calm and private, a wonderful space for entertaining and relaxing alike.