South Side, Steeple Aston, OX25

A fastidiously and elegantly upgraded G2 listed cottage with four bedrooms and two receptions, two en-suites, plus garage and parking. The position is delightful, on a village road full of period properties within walking distance of a great shop and school, and two miles from a mainline London station.

Steeple Aston is an ancient settlement with roots going back to Roman times, maybe earlier. The village has its own shop and Post Office (a couple of minutes' walk), a popular pub, a primary school dating back nearly 400 years (rated outstanding by OFSTED), and a 1000 year old church. The community is enthusiastic and vibrant with activities ranging from WI to bell ringing, football and cricket. Designated a conservation area in 1988 it is set in glorious surroundings with the river Cherwell running through the valley. It is also extremely well placed for commuting by road or rail to Oxford, London and Birmingham, with a mainline station just 2 miles distant. For more info visit www.steepleaston.org.uk

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Staithe is a historic cottage, one of the older houses in this village. From the gorgeous frontage with its leaded windows to the view of the church at the rear, this is a wonderful house. The owners have a real eye for detail. Over the last few years they have been through the house from top to bottom, replacing, upgrading and remodelling every aspect of the decor and fittings, whilst retaining the character and atmosphere of the cottage. The result is, frankly, one of the best we know - the character has been emphasised not diminished, the contemporary features meld seamlessly, to such a good effect it's hard to find fault, which is rare. From plate racks in the kitchen dresser to a parquet floor in the second living room, oak in the dining area, and a pair of new en-suites, everything is designed to give you style and substance in equal measure.

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The front door opens into a broad hall with a timber floor and the stairs rising to a split landing. Directly in front of you there's a cloak room of quite some size, with polished travertine stone flooring that contrasts beautifully with the blue walls and grey bespoke store cupboard - which are enormous, ideal for storing all the coats, boots, and general day to day junk you could ever need! On the left the first of the two receptions features an oak block parquet floor which runs up to a large inglenook fireplace complete with the remains of a bread oven. Not currently used, it could be if desired subject to checking through. As it's double aspect, this is a bright room, and the sliding doors to the rear look across the garden to the valley beyond with a view of the church. Further left, the utility room seems at first oddly placed but in fact it provides a great place for dirty laundry, dirty boots from the garden etc in the room fitted with the washing machine and second sink! Wood effect work tops and more bespoke cupboards make this a utility room the envy of many kitchens.

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Back to the hall, on the right a step drops down into the main living space. On the right the two windows both feature window seats with fitted cushions, a lovely touch. Ahead the fireplace is fitted with a wood burner and fan, a clever addition we have rarely seen. Either side, shelves and cupboards fill the alcoves, and there are discreet spaces for TV, Sky box etc that keep them out of the way. On the left a further step takes you down to the dining space, cleverly differentiated from the main room with its oak floor. This provides a space for a table with maybe ten chairs without difficulty, and the outlook through sliding doors is over the garden. Next door, down couple more steps, is the kitchen. This is a visual feast! All across the right side is a built-in dresser which includes a seat with hidden storage, a plate rack, pull-out shelving. Then there's the central island complete with a breakfast bar. Then there's a Belfast sink in front of the window. And then there's a red Aga... It's such a wonderful space, and so well laid out, it's hard to find anything we don't like! And as if the units and storage weren't enough, the walk-in pantry next door features a range of shelving and a quarry tiled floor, with no radiator, making it the ideal cold store. And the final door leads into a wide garage with masses of shelving, which could also potentially be converted into another room subject to consents...

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Upstairs is as splendid as downstairs. The half landing splits the upstairs with the first door to the left opening into a large single/ small double bedroom with a bespoke cabin bed, underneath which is space for a desk/ storage/ seating - the envy of any child! Next door, the first of two master suites is instantly inviting. Double aspect windows give it a view towards the period house opposite to the front, and behind there's a view over the valley towards the church. This is a big room, with more than ample space for a good suite of furniture. The vendors have also added an en-suite to the side, stylish with a very sizeable walk-in shower, and next door to this is a walk-in wardrobe complete with hanging space! To the other side of the half landing, a further double is equipped with a generous range of fitted wardrobes to one wall, leaving acres of floor space, the ideal teenager bedroom. The landing turns just here and enters a wider area with a vaulted ceiling, this has been fitted with bookshelves to one wall and it is set up as a study, with the window in front of the desk overlooking the garden. Next to it, a bathroom is fitted with a bath and shower overhead, tiling and wall colours contrasting perfectly. Here is the entrance to the second suite, which could be a granny/ nanny/ teenager annex or perhaps Air BnB? The vaulted ceiling overhead is such a pleasant feature, and seems to amplify the size of what is already a good double room. The en-suite to the side is well packaged, providing the same style with contrasting walls and tiling. With a range of built-in wardrobes and various shelves, it really is a practical room to be used as a separate space if required - to the side a door leads out to stone steps which, in turn, give access away from the house.

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Outside, to the front a slender planting area runs along the full width of the house, occupied by various plants including a marvellous established creeper that flowers late Spring across the whole of the front of the house. To the left, the driveway is owned by this property, leading down to a block-paved parking area in front of the garage. Next to this is the lawn, flanked by further planting areas, enjoys the afternoon sun and also provides a lovely view towards the church on the other side of the valley. The whole is enclosed with a stone wall to the side and gates in front of the parking.