Troy Lane, Kirtlington, OX5

One of the oldest in the village, a deliciously characterful cottage with recent improvements. 3 beds, 2 receptions, kitchen & new utility, & lovely gardens. Popular village with school and pubs all within walking distance, and quick access to Bicester, Oxford and London via road and rail.

Kirtlington needs little introduction locally. It is, simply, one of the most popular villages in North Oxfordshire. There are many reasons. The great local primary school also feeds through to an excellent C of E secondary in Woodstock (with private schools also within easy driving distance). Two high quality pub/restaurants provide great food and drink. Close road and rail links (40 mins to Marylebone from Bicester North - 6 miles away) provide immensely easy commuting. The old stone quarry by the canal, plus the Capability Brown gardens of Kirtlington Park, offer lovely walks etc. But for many, it's the community with its all-inclusive ethos, sense of vibrancy and spirit that makes it the sort of place people rarely want to leave.

Number 2 is believed to date back at least in part to the 17th century. If only walls could talk! Originally the accommodation was pretty compact, however the cottage was extended on the side to provide more space upstairs as well as a substantial garage, part of which has now been converted into a very useful utility room. The kitchen behind overlooks the pretty garden, and in recent times planning was given to extend across the rear to add a lantern-roof sun room. Those plans have lapsed but we see no reason why they would not be granted again, making the downstairs space even more exciting without damaging the garden. And over the last few years in addition to the utility conversion, our vendors have upgraded the electrics and also the heating, alongside improving the decor. So it is offered in lovely order.

The front porch offers a handy space for boots, coats etc. Walking through, a delightful dining room greets you. The central feature is a lovely stone fireplace with a wood lintel and wood burner, and a smart engineered oak floor has been fitted. There is a timber double glazed window to front (with window seat) and another window to rear, hence the room is very light, and overhead is exposed timber. To the left the sitting room is also double aspect with a window seat (and double glazed timber window) to the front plus a further stone fireplace.

Behind the dining room the modern kitchen features a broad range of stylish units that fit the cottage ambience perfectly, The ceramic sink sits atop a wood worktop with a window behind overlooking the garden, and a double oven and hob are fitted as is a fridge/ freezer. A new utility room has been created to the side, reducing the garage volume but adding a very useful extra laundry/storage space rarely found in a cottage.

On the first floor all three bedrooms are attractive and light. The main sits to the left hand end, a characterful room with a window to the front offering a lovely view out across the edge of the village and fields beyond. At the other end, another double this time includes various cupboards providing unusually generous storage rarely found in a cottage. Even the smallest bedroom is a very useful double, and it exhibits more of the charm found elsewhere with a long timber purlin exposed in the roof eaves. The landing also offers valuable space as it is larger than you would expect and consequently this has become the study. Serving these the family bathroom is modern, well equipped and bright due to a large velux window.

Outside, the property offers just as much to delight. With the house sitting well back from the lane behind a grassy bank in front of which is unrestricted space to park, it's practical as well as pretty. Around the porch various shrubs and flowering plants add to the attraction of the facade. On the right the double doors enter the garage, which is now more classic Mini-sized than suitable for a Rolls! But as storage for the general day to day needs, it's ample, and removal pf the utility to re-create a large garage would be simple.

Down the right hand side there's a path leading to the rear garden, complete with a gate hence it's secure and safe for children and animals alike. To the rear a lovely, secluded garden is mainly lawn, with a terrace to the side of the kitchen perfect for sunny dining. The owners have also created a decked sating area to the rear that is sunny most days. A wide diversity of flowers, shrubs, perennials etc stock the borders that run round the edges, enclosed mostly by fencing with a stone wall to the left. It's a peaceful and relaxed place that suits the cottage perfectly.

Mains water, drainage, gas c.h.Cherwell District CouncilCouncil Tax Band D?2,198-27 p.a. 2023/24