Gilbournes Farm

A heritage gem with flexibility and scope. Spellbinding at every twist and turn of its fine historic blueprint, Gilbournes Farm is an enchanting country house with an abundance of tempting enhancements.

The Grade II Listed five-bedroom farmhouse on the outskirts of Sutton Courtenay, one of South Oxfordshire’s prettiest and most sought-after villages beside the River Thames, is encircled by 3.5 acres of manicured gardens with a five-acre meadow beyond. And it’s the most handsome of historic homes – with a plethora of magnificent period features dating from 1540 to 1760.

It’s all been lovingly preserved, honed to polished perfection and, in places, harmoniously improved and updated by the current owners over the past 17 years, creating a wonderful family home that’s made even more tempting with its additional residential options. These encompass a fabulously spacious two-bedroom guest cottage with its own drive and private garden and a self-contained flat above a car port in the courtyard. If you are looking for an extensive choice of living space that would be ideal for a multi-generational family, housekeeper/au pair, or brimming with rental options – then this is perfect!

Heritage and charm exudes and is celebrated at every twist and turn of this extraordinary country house, while the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. You’ll be drawn in by the traditional character and ambience, the enveloping cosiness and individuality of the rooms and period features such as magnificent inglenook fireplaces, exposed timbers, polished oak floors and window shutters. It’s simply gorgeous.

Gilbournes Farm is ideal too if you have a home-based business – a spacious single-storey building in the grounds is set up as self-contained office premises complete with extensive storage.

Add in a super-stylish timber vaulted and glazed pool house – with 40ft swimming pool and sauna, plus a fabulously luxe summerhouse beside the lake at the end of the garden, and we think you’ll agree this is a truly spectacular place to call home. Both the guest cottage and pool house were converted from existing barns by the current owners.

Sutton Courtenay is a flourishing and friendly village with a shop/PO, pubs, primary school and lively community life. It’s a ten-mile drive to Oxford, while London commuters can catch a fast train from nearby Didcot Parkway station and be at Paddington in 35 minutes.

Are you entranced by this extraordinary home? Then here are the finer details . . .

A Country House At Its Finest - As you sweep down the shady, tree-lined drive towards the farmhouse you know you are in for a treat. Park with ease in front of a car port with a garage to one side and workshop to the other, and there’s further parking in front of a second double car port, with flat above.

The sturdy oak front door is shaded by a timber porch which opens into the entrance hall – a shining example of what’s to come throughout the farmhouse with an array of exposed ceiling and wall beams, 18th-century oak panelling and a feature fireplace, believed to date back to the 16th century. Two big cupboards are ideal for coats, boots, dog leads and so on, and there’s a super-modern cloakroom/WC illustrating how carefully and successfully contemporary fittings have been harmonised with the antiquity of the building.

There’s no shortage of cupboard storage at Gilbournes Farm – some of it is behind intriguing ‘secret doors’ – and there’s loads in the study, to the right of the hall, and in the utility room with pantry shelving, sink, and space for washing machine and tumble-dryer.

Measuring a generous 17x16ft, the kitchen is cosily warm, welcoming and bright, and sure to be the beating heart of the family home. Fitted with a fantastic collection of designer floor- and wall-mounted units with Finnish granite worktops, there’s a big central island, cherry red double-sized electric AGA, integral dishwasher, steam oven, microwave and American-style fridge/freezer, plus a glorious bay window with casement door presenting uplifting views of and access to the terrace and gardens – perfect for summertime chill-outs and entertaining.

To the left of the entrance hall is the spacious 25x18ft living room, a splendidly convivial place to relax or entertain friends in the glow of the woodburning stove set into the magnificent red-brick inglenook fireplace with its mighty oak lintel. It epitomises genteel country living at its best.

You’ll feel at one with the great outdoors in the delightful Victorian-style conservatory which, with low stone walls, underfloor heating and modern window blinds, makes an idyllic dining room or chill-out spot where you can relax with the papers and enjoy the garden vistas.

The lovely 18th-century carved oak staircase rises to the first floor from an inner hallway which also accesses the drawing room, boasting a lighter contemporary vibe with green and cream wall panelling, window shutters and seats and a heritage fireplace fitted with a feature electric stove flanked by ‘hidden’ cupboards.

A nicely presented study, with lots of fitted storage, completes the downstairs layout.

A Good Night’S Sleep - On the first floor, the lovely cream panelling adds restful tones to the principal bedroom which is full of historic charm complete with ‘hidden’ doors to wardrobe storage, an original fireplace and a modern en-suite bathroom with designer twin washbasins and walk-in shower. Next door to this is another bedroom with a bank of fitted wardrobes which, if desired, would make a superb dressing room.

There’s a really large, 19x19ft, double-aspect bedroom to the rear, a truly serene haven of duck egg blue panelling with corner fireplace, views of the garden stream and neighbouring fields, and a quirky ‘wonky’ window!

Impressively luxe and underfloor heated, the spacious family bathroom merges its heritage touches with contemporary style – as illustrated by feature upright timbers partially dividing the shower, washbasin and WC from the corner-set rolltop bath. It’s simply gorgeous.

A second study – which could easily be converted back to a bedroom – with Velux windows and fitted cupboards completes the first floor layout, before the staircase curves upwards to a wonderfully spacious landing under the eaves on the second floor, enhanced by the warm charm of the higgledy-piggledy beams.

Enjoy the superb views of the garden and farmland beyond from the two bedrooms up here under vaulted, beamed ceilings. Both are doubles and one has an en-suite bathroom, making it ideal for guests. There’s also a lovely, modern additional bathroom.

Glorious Gardens - Gilbournes Farm has a garden for all seasons, enviably extensive and beautifully kept. Whatever the season, there are both sunny and shady spots to relax or for youngsters to run, play and kick a ball.

With acres of lawn and established trees cascading down to the charming stream at the end of the garden, stand-out features include an ornamental knot garden, planted with fragrant herbs, and a curvaceous rose garden.

Keen gardeners will love the kitchen garden with fruit cages and vegetable beds and a beautiful Victorian-style greenhouse.

A wisteria-clad bower walkway leads to the idyllic lake, nestled within a copse of trees with an ornamental bridge across to the meadow - this would be ideal for those who keep ponies or for exercising dogs. Children will love the lake with its extensive decked staging, illuminated at night, and steps for launching a boat or canoes – a true touch of ‘Swallows and Amazons’. Another desirable extra that’s perfect for family members of all ages is a hard-surface tennis court.

The 17x17ft lake house has its own mini kitchen and WC, so it’s totally self-contained, and a woodburning stove to add a cosy focus in the winter. There are big bifold doors on two sides, which can be opened up for summertime entertaining on the superb terrace complete with wood-fired pizza oven and barbecue.

Round And About - Peacefully located, Gilbournes Farm is within walking distance of all the home comforts of Sutton Courtenay – a friendly, bustling village with period and thatched homes gathered round the attractive village green, and within a stone’s throw of the leisure options offered by the River Thames.

This is picture-perfect walking country and the recreational pursuits and relaxation it presents are a major attraction of life in this serene location.

There’s Sutton Courtenay CE primary school and a village stores with post office, plus a lively range of events and activities throughout the year centred on the village hall and the River Room with its community cafe at All Saints church. From a drama society and All Saints’ Singers to toddler group, fitness classes, WI and bridge club, this is a close community in the best tradition.

The village pubs are The Swan Foodhouse & Bar, overlooking the village green, where tapas and paella are a speciality, and a traditional ‘local’, The George, where real ales and craft beers reign supreme. The Fish restaurant has a mouth-watering French menu and is highly rated.

Nearby Abingdon is the place to do a supermarket shop – it has Waitrose and Tesco superstores, lots of lovely independent shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes and leisure options.

Some of the country’s best independent schools are here too – Abingdon School, St Helen & St Katharine’s and Our Lady’s number among them. State comprehensives include Didcot Girls School, Ofsted-rated outstanding, and John Mason, Larkmead and Fitzharry’s Schools, all rated good.

Finer Details - TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE: 10,702 sq ft / 994.3 sq mtr
MAIN HOUSE SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4083 sq ft / 379.3 sq mtr
CENTRAL HEATING: Oil (main house) / Gas (barn and swimming pool)
TENURE: Freehold
DISTANCES:Abingdon – 3 miles
Didcot Parkway Station – 4.4 miles
Oxford – 10.5 miles
Central London – 60 miles
Heathrow Airport – 65.5 miles

EPC: Exempt – Grade II Listed
LOCAL AUTHORITY: Vale of White Horse District Council –



Marketed by: Stowhill Estates Ltd, Oxfordshire