The Manor House in Chipping Norton: A country house in a town

Guided by the knowledge and advice of award-winning Nigel Daly Architectural Design, the 15th-century Grade II listed Manor House in Chipping Norton has been sensitively restored and enhanced with meticulous attention to every detail, creating a truly unique family home. This is a wonderfully authentic country house, full of character and charm.

The Manor House in Chipping Norton is built of Cotswold stone under a slate roof, the most part of which was replaced eight years ago. Original metal leaded light windows have been restored and replicated. From lime rendered internal walls to solid oak and stone flagged floors, oak beams and enormous oak A-framed trusses, reinvented stunning oak staircases and natural materials - old and new have been used creatively throughout.

The attention to every minute detail is telling in every room of the house. All external walls are fully insulated, and there is underfloor heating to all ground and lower ground floor flagstoned rooms. The property has also been completely rewired and replumbed.

Approached by a gravel drive under an enormous Cedar of Lebanon tree, the front door is accessed via a walled courtyard. The flagstoned entrance hall opens to the heart of the house, leading directly to the inviting kitchen with its four-door gas Aga and ancillary electric oven and hob, bespoke units with honed slate worktop.

Tall windows to the east-facing front garden and French doors to the south terrace ensure plenty of natural light. A utility room with a pantry, and sizeable built-in storage cupboards, lead directly off the kitchen, as is a walk-in larder. Also accessed from the kitchen is the delightful study, one wall being lined with bespoke joinery made fitted bookcases.

Stone steps from the hall lead to the main drawing room with beautiful natural light; an oriel window with a window seat makes this an attractive drawing room for entertaining. Bespoke bookcases made from reclaimed elm boards surround the open fireplace.

From the inner hall, with access to the cloakroom, stone stairs lead down through an arch to the fabulous dining room with its vaulted ceiling and stunning stone fireplace created from reclaimed carved stone sections. A large versatile games/media room leads off, with dual aspect windows and door opening to the garden. With its striking central stone column, this room lends itself to multiple purposes and is presently a home cinema, office and party room, as the occasion dictates.

New joinery made oak stairs in the 17th-century style lead from the inner hall to the first floor with its spectacular principal bedroom suite. Vaulted ceilings, triple aspect views of the garden and the hills beyond, sitting area with an open fireplace make this room enchanting. The en suite bathroom leads off with a separate shower and cast iron roll top bath.

A second bedroom, with its charming en suite, has brilliant views of the front garden. A third bedroom has oak panelling and a quirky wet room, while a fourth bedroom makes for an ideal child’s bedroom or study. Stairs lead to the second floor, where there is a guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom. A smaller room leads off, which could be either a nursery or dressing room. A large airing cupboard also opens from the top landing.

The sizeable terraced gardens are very private and entirely delightful. The extensive stone flagged terrace with two charming loggias makes for easy alfresco entertaining. Steps up lead to the small walled vegetable garden and greenhouse, and steps down lead to the main lawn with its high stone wall and established herbaceous borders.

A gate and further steps lead to the privately tucked away swimming pool with a pool house and ‘den’ above. A sink and WC are in place. At the end of the path, to the west side of the garden, is a stone-built wood store leading directly to the entrance courtyard and driveway beyond. There is an open two-bay stone garage with a large workshop and extensive storage above. A second, wide-gated vehicular access opens to the lower lawn with additional parking.

A country house in a town is a rarity. The Manor House in Chipping Norton is a wonderfully authentic house, full of character and charm.