In Pictures: Reminiscing about the 2018 Didcot Food Festival

By

Elizabeth Gibbs

on

03 September 2020

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Inside Homes: A secluded Arts & Crafts house with a semi-rural setting just minutes from Oxford city centre There is a particular stretch of Oxfordshire where the city begins to loosen its grip and the landscape quietly takes over. Within that transition, an early 1900s Arts & Crafts home sits in a secluded position, offering a semi-rural setting just minutes from Oxford city centre. Rather than feeling imposed on its surroundings, it feels shaped by them; a house that has evolved in step with the land around it, where architecture and environment remain closely intertwined. Approached along a discreet drive and set within gardens and woodland approaching an acre, the house has the gentle presence typical of its era - grounded in craftsmanship, with proportions and detailing that prioritise light, texture and connection to the outdoors. Despite its sense of seclusion, Oxford city centre lies just ten minutes away, a contrast that defines much of Boars Hill’s appeal. The ground floor is arranged with an ease that reflects how the house is now lived in. At its centre is a generous open-plan kitchen, dining and family space, designed for contemporary living without compromising on the building’s character. Granite worktops and integrated Miele appliances sit comfortably within the space, complemented by a walk-in pantry and separate utility room that reinforce its everyday practicality rather than performance. Doors and sightlines draw the garden into view, reinforcing the sense that the landscape is always present. Elsewhere, the sitting room offers a quieter counterpoint - more formal in tone, anchored by an open fireplace that acts as a focal point to the room without dominating it. A ground-floor bedroom with an adjacent shower room adds flexibility, particularly for visiting guests or multi-generational living, and hints at how adaptable the layout already is. Upstairs, four further bedrooms are arranged off a central landing. The principal bedroom includes a dressing room with built-in wardrobes; a space that can be reconfigured if required. A family bathroom serves the floor, fitted with a traditional four-piece suite, including both bath and separate shower. What most distinguishes the house, however, is not simply its internal arrangement but its relationship with its grounds. The gardens unfold in layers - formal terraces for dining and entertaining, mature planting, and areas of woodland that give the sense of a private landscape rather than a conventional suburban plot. A raised terrace connects directly to the main living spaces, blurring the boundary between inside and out. Within the grounds, a more informal “forest school” style setting adds a distinctly family-led character to the environment. Practical elements are thoughtfully handled, with a double garage and ample driveway parking discreetly positioned behind recently installed gates. The overall impression is one of privacy without isolation, where the house sits comfortably within its own setting rather than being imposed upon it. Boars Hill itself remains one of Oxford’s most established residential enclaves - known as much for its sense of space and greenery as for its proximity to the city. Old Boars Hill, moments away, offers far-reaching views and walking routes that have drawn residents here for generations. The area also enjoys access to leading independent schools, reinforcing its long-standing appeal to families. While the house already offers generous and flexible accommodation, its potential adds another layer of interest. Subject to the usual planning consents, there is clear scope for extension or reconfiguration - an opportunity to shape and refine the property further within one of Oxfordshire’s most sought-after settings. Offered for sale with By Design at a guide price of £1,650,000, this Foxcombe Road home in Boars Hill represents a rare opportunity to acquire a period Arts & Crafts residence in one of the city’s most established residential settings - a place where its next chapter can be written with intention, in a landscape that has always quietly encouraged it.

Inside Homes: An Arts & Crafts house in a semi-rural setting minutes from the city centre

Stage Watch: Psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs premieres on stage

Arts & Entertainment

Stage Watch: Psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs premieres on stage