Eynsham Mill

Glorious English Rural Idyll.


Description

Grade II listed, Eynsham Mill is a tranquil oasis that has been a well loved family home for nearly half a century. During their tenure, the present owners have painstakingly restored it and created magical gardens and grounds to surround it, enjoyed over the years by children and grandchildren alike. The approach to the house is enchanting. The tunnel of trees leads over the stone bridge and opens to the front of the house. Picture perfect with its soft Cotswold stone and decorative canopy over the front door. The drive sweeps round to the central courtyard where a wisteria rambles around the entrance porch.

The hallway is at the centre of the house with all main rooms leading directly off. Tall ceilings, square rooms, deep sash windows, detailed cornicing, six panel doors and window seats all feature in this light filled house. The triple aspect drawing room, with its coloured marble fireplace and French doors that open to the sound of water below, has panoramic views over the gardens to the lake and fountain beyond. The generously proportioned dining room and the cosy morning room both have stone fireplaces and enjoy the same view. The kitchen features painted wooden units beneath quartz worktops and includes a central island. The stone floor continues through to the fabulous garden room. Three glazed roof panels flood this room with natural light. Two sets of French doors open to the terrace and the swimming pool overlooking the Mill race. Directly off the kitchen is the large, walk-through pantry, which in turn leads on to the utility and boot room. Both rooms have full height cupboards, maximising storage space. Housed in the oldest part of the house, the cloakroom has a separate ante room with its pretty rose marble vanity stand. There is a further room for coats with a store room off. From the hallway, the striking bespoke staircase winds gracefully up through the centre of the house. Designed and crafted by a Cornish carpenter known to the family, it makes a fitting statement in the heart of this home.

The charming principal bedroom suite of rooms features bookcases and window seats and wonderful views. The bathroom has a freestanding cast iron bath with ball and claw feet and a separate shower. The dressing room leads back to the landing, so can alternatively be used as a further bedroom. There are three further delightful bedroom suites, two further large attic bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Outside
Eynsham Mills’ stunning grounds represent extraordinary vision and a lifetime’s work. The River Evenlode meanders gently around the house and through the gardens, forming a maze of waterways, with bridges criss-crossing and weeping willows gracing its banks. A parkland has been designed at the front of the house with a lake and fountain at its boundary, creating a pleasing view of sweeping lawns and landscaped vistas. A further area is a designated bird park with all manner of wild birds including swans, snow, barnacle and Canada geese amongst many others. The large central lake has its own island, complete with folly. The gardens are a delight and form a series of garden rooms.

A wisteria and rose covered pergola defines the boundary between the croquet lawn and the allium garden. The latter
bordered by low box hedging and overflowing with herbaceous planting, topped by the blue froth from hundreds of alliums. The formal front gardens feature deep, sweeping beds overflowing with mature herbaceous planting and box topiary to the front of the house. The large vegetable garden and orchard also has two large greenhouses, a cold frame and a bank of four garden stores. The pool garden and terrace are situated just beyond the kitchen. With a white planting scheme and ancient olive tree providing shade on hot days, this garden is a delight. The pool house provides a changing room, shower and cloakroom. The well-maintained tennis court lies just beyond the croquet lawn. The gravelled courtyard is flanked by the house to one side, with the Courtyard Cottage to the other. A garage (with store over), double car port, three store rooms (previously stables) and a log store form the remaining side. Bridge Cottage, as the name implies, sits beside the bridge at the end of the treelined drive. The remainder of the land features extensive broadleaf woods and fields and lakes.

Location

Eynsham Mill sits within a magical and peaceful setting. Tucked away and hidden from view down a long treelined drive, the house sits centre stage within its gardens, grounds and land. Although secluded, it is ideally situated for easy access to road, rail and airport links and is within easy striking distance of London. Oxford Parkway is just six miles away with regular fast trains to London Marylebone. Junction 8 of the M40 is 12 miles away and Heathrow’s Terminal 2 just 51 miles away.

The pretty village of Eynsham is one and a half miles away and boasts three churches, a supermarket, butcher, organic deli and greengrocer, coffee shops, pubs, wine merchant and sports centre.

There is also a doctor’s surgery, dentist, pharmacy and primary school. Every day shopping is well catered for in the nearby market town of Witney, with its weekly markets and two large supermarkets.

Historical and cultural pastimes can be pursued in both Oxford and Woodstock and renowned Soho Farmhouse is just 15 miles away. Sporting interests are well served with racing at Cheltenham, hunting with the Heythrop Hunt, golf at Burford and Wychwood with a local shoot on neighbouring Blenheim Estate. Farmoor Reservoir provides all manner of watersport activities.

Square Footage: 5,774 sq ft




Acreage: 92.25 Acres

Directions

From London, take the M40 to junction 8, then the A40 exit to Oxford/Cheltenham. Keep right to continue on A40. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto North Way/Sunderland Ave/A40. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto A40. Continue straight onto Eynsham Road. At Eynsham roundabout, take the 3rd exit. Continue onto Lower Road and after 0.2 miles, turn right through the entrance to Eynsham Mill onto Mill Lane and the property is at the end of the long drive.


Additional Info

Oxford 7 miles • Witney 6 miles • Woodstock 6 miles • Burford 13 miles Oxford Parkway (London Marylebone from 55 mins) 6 miles • Central London 62 miles • Heathrow (Terminal 2) 51 miles (Distances are approximate)

History
The oldest part of Eynsham Mill is mentioned in The Domesday Book, one of medieval England’s greatest treasures. The now demolished mills provided paper for the Clarendon Press in Oxford and pioneered the mechanization of paper production. Eynsham village also dates to this period when a large Benedictine Abbey towered over the settlement. Dissolved and demolished by order of Henry VIII, many of the materials were repurposed in local houses of the time.

Schooling
There are highly regarded schools within easy reach including Cheltenham College, Cheltenham Ladies, Dean Close and St Edwards in Cheltenham. Also Radley, Tudor Hall, St Edward’s and the highly regarded schools in both Oxford and Abingdon.

Tenure
Freehold with vacant possession on completion

Services
Private water supply. Private drainage. Oil central heating . Mains electric with generator access point Gigaclear broadband

Local Authority
West Oxfordshire District Council . Council tax band H

Marketed by: Savills, Country Department