Property description

An exceptional and beautifully restored Grade II Listed cottage, formerly the village Smithy. Full of character and period details, the house has a charming atmosphere with a unique layout reflecting its 500 year old history. Four/five bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite), sitting room, dining room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, cloakroom. Attached unconverted barn. Lovely garden. EPC not required.
LOCAL INFORMATION
The traditional village of Childrey lies 3 miles to the West of Wantage. It is surrounded by lovely rolling countryside and there are fine walks directly from the cottage. Charles Cottage sits just off the village green amongst other period properties, There is a shop, duck pond, school, a range of clubs and societies, a pub and the Church of St. Mary. Wantage offers supermarkets, high street shops and doctors’ surgeries with the city of Oxford 20 miles away. The A34 and J14 of the M4 are 9 miles and 11 miles distant respectively providing access to the wider motorway network. There is a good railway service to London, Paddington from Didcot (11 miles) taking about 45 minutes. More comprehensive information for residents can be found on the website at http://www.childrey.org.uk/site/.
ACCOMMODATION
Charles Cottage is an exceptional property comprising two cottages and the old Wheelwright’s forge. The current owners have sensitively restored the property with great care taken to use authentic materials such as lime-based plaster, handmade tiles and exceptional carpentry. There are polished oak floorboards, mullioned windows, exposed timbers and open fires, creating a cosy and relaxing atmosphere. Different levels, half staircases and an unusual layout gives the house a unique and charming feeling and reflects how the property has adapted to different uses over the years.
GROUND FLOOR
From the Oak front door, flagstone steps lead to the lobby with curved lime plastered walls and into the double aspect kitchen/breakfast room with exposed beams, a flagstone floor, 2-oven black AGA, electric cooker, hob, range of cabinets, butler’s sink, Oak worktops and green Oak beams. There is a cellar with limited head height, accessed by wooden steps, with a brick floor and an automatic pump to ensure it stays dry. The dining room has the old front door to the Blacksmith’s house, there are windows overlooking the front and back garden and a painted wood floor. The family room is of good size and it is believed there is an inglenook fireplace behind the current hearth. The charming sitting room has a polished brick floor, inglenook fireplace, exposed beams and window to front. A utility corridor houses the washing machine and tumble dryer, off which is a rear lobby and the tongue and groove lined study with cloakroom.
FIRST FLOOR
Upstairs there are 4/5 bedrooms, one being used as a sometime dressing room, many with vaulted ceilings, all with exposed beams and timbers and some with fireplaces. There are two well-appointed bathrooms, one with a roll-top bath and one en-suite to the master bedroom. From the kitchen/breakfast room, a door leads to the Wheelwright’s workshop and barn. This is a superb space, currently unconverted, with a high vaulted ceiling, exposed roof trusses, brick and chalkstone walls and a concrete floor. This could make a dramatic family room or ‘medieval-style’ kitchen/dining room, subject to the usual consents.
HISTORY
Charles Cottage is thought to be over 500 years old. It was originally a ‘hall house’, a simple, one-room building with a single hearth in the middle of the floor for cooking and warmth. Floors were added later creating a more familiar layout with sleeping accommodation upstairs. The property was then divided into three, being the village Blacksmiths, Blacksmith’s cottage and Wheelwright’s workshop. King Charles I was rumoured to have stayed the night in the Blacksmith’s house when he had his horse shod there on the way to Wantage in 1644. Made from local Chalkstone (know as Clunch) and old red bricks, the timber framed part-thatched, part-clay tiled building has some walls over 9 inches thick.
OUTSIDE
There is a pretty railed front garden with shrubs and hedges and the main garden lies to the rear of the house. A driveway with 5-bar gate leads to the mainly lawned garden which is part-walled and edged with a Hornbeam hedge. Flower borders edge the garden and are richly planted with perennial and cottage garden plants. There is an old but productive apple tree and a gravel terrace for outdoor entertaining. There is a timber-framed greenhouse with attached garden shed.
LOCAL AUTHORITY and SERVICES
Vale of the White Horse District Council 01235 520202. Council tax band: F.

Mains water and electricity. Oil fired central heating.
CONVEYANCING
Through our in-house Conveyancing team, we can ensure ease and efficiency for a competitive, no-sale, no-fee quote. Visit www.davistate-conveyancing.co.uk for a quote today.
MORTGAGES
Whether you`re a first time buyer or a current home owner; Davis Tate can provide you with access to Mortgage Advisors who can assist with professional advice.



Davis Tate Ltd is an introducer appointed representative of First Complete Ltd for purpose of the provision of advice in relation to mortgage and non investment insurance products. Mortgage and Protection advice is provided by LSLi Ltd t/a Embrace Mortgage Services, an appointed representative of First Complete Ltd. First Complete Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.



LSLi Ltd t/a Embrace Mortgage Services charge a fee of between £399 and £699 on application. The amount we will charge is dependent on the amount of research and administration that is required.



YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
DISCLAIMER
These particulars are a general guide only. They do not form part of any contract. Services, systems and appliances have not been tested.

Property Features :

• Country and Riverside
• 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• 3 reception rooms
• Attached unconverted barn
• Lovely gardens